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Jerwin Ancajas outpoints McJoe Arroyo

Jerwin Ancajas (center, with the title belt) flanked by MP Promotions matchmaker Sean Gibbons (right).
Fighters Network
03
Sep

MANILA, Philippines – The IBF junior bantamweight title fight between champion McJoe Arroyo and Jerwin Ancajas had been postponed numerous times. But when Ancajas finally got Arroyo in the ring, he made it worth it the wait.

Ancajas dropped Arroyo in Round 8 on a body shot and cruised to a one-sided unanimous decision to win the 115-pound belt at the Philippine Navy Gym in Taguig City, Philippines. The scores were 118-109, 115-112 and 117-110, all for the 23-year-old Ancajas from Panabo City, Davao del Norte.

Ancajas (25-1-1, 16 knockouts) established his stiff right jab in round one and was able to land hard left hands over the top which marked up Arroyo’s face noticeably. Arroyo (17-1, 8 KOs) could only try to make it a brawl, and succeeded briefly in Round 4 before the power of Ancajas came through in Round 7, nearly knocking Arroyo down with an overhand left.

Arroyo was sent through the ropes in the eighth after a body shot, and another knockdown could have been scored in Round 9 when Arroyo went to a knee after a series of body punches.



“It started from the first round. I got my full confidence until the last round,” said Ancajas.

Arroyo, who won the title last July with a technical decision over Filipino Arthur Villanueva, tried to pull the fight out late but found himself unable to contain Ancajas, who at 23 is seven years younger than Arroyo. Arroyo said afterward that he felt sluggish from the opening bell.

Ancajas had dedicated the fight to his home province of Davao, which saw numerous casualties the night before due to a blast. Police had announced earlier today that the explosion was caused by an improvised explosive device. The explosion led President Rodrigo Duterte to declare a State of Lawlessness in the country.

“I knew that Arroyo will hit me hard but I didn’t mind that because of the people watching. I was inspired by what happened in Davao,” said Ancajas.

The win is likely to bring future big paydays for Ancajas, who made just $3,750 of the $25,000 total purse bid made by Manny Pacquiao’s MP Promotions. Under the purse bid rules, the champion makes 85% of the bid, or $21,250.

Joe Ramos of MP Promotions tells RingTV.com that Ancajas would celebrate afterwards at Pacquiao’s house and is likely to receive a significant bonus from the newly-elected senator.

Joven Jimenez, the trainer/manager of Ancajas, says that he hopes to eventually get a fight with pound for pound champion Roman Gonzalez, who is entering Ancajas’ weight class later this month when he faces WBC titleholder Carlos Cuadras.

“We want Roman Gonzalez. Me and Jerwin always talk about Roman Gonzalez,” said Jimenez.

“All the fighters now want to face Roman Gonzalez. So I’ll go with the trend. I also want that fight,” added Ancajas.

Ancajas is now one of four current world titleholders from the Philippines, joining IBF flyweight titleholder Johnriel Casimero, WBO junior featherweight titleholder Nonito Donaire Jr. and WBO bantamweight titleholder Marlon Tapales.

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