LOST IN JAPAN: Ancajas bows down to Inoue, loses world title hopes
Justine Juyad
Another Filipino lost to another Inoue.
Following a heartbreaking loss by Marlon Tapales to Naoya Inoue two months ago, another Pinoy boxer Jerwin Ancajas suffered a ninth-round stoppage against Naoya Inoue’s younger brother, Takuma, during their WBA World Bantamweight bout at Kokugikan Arena on February 24.Photo Courtesy of Wendell Alinea
The former IBF junior bantamweight champion failed to regain world champion status after falling down into the canvas with 44 seconds left in the ninth round, following a solid right-hand body shot from the defending champion.
“I couldn’t breathe. It was perfectly timed,” Ancajas, who was still in pain in the dugout, said in a post-fight interview.
With the loss, Jerwin’s record now stands with 34 wins, 4 losses, and 2 draws.
History repeated itself as Tapales also lost, previously, to the undisputed champion Naoya Inoue via stoppage following a powerful body shot which has been an Inoue’s specialty.
Ancajas started pretty well as he managed to give the Japanese champion some solid shots and connected his early uppercuts to close the gap early in the match.
The 32-year-old Filipino fighter was denied in the following rounds as the hometown fighter managed to pull off effective adjustments that gave the audience an exciting match.
Jerwin came out stronger and more efficient in the 8th round as he landed more combinations to the body that led into his arguably best round of the fight; however, the unexpected turn of events came in the following round.
As the ninth round kicked-off, both fighters were more determined to win but the Japanese was able to stun the Filipino warrior with a vicious right-hand liver shot that led into a technical knockout.
The younger Inoue successfully defended the WBA World bantamweight belt, which was formerly held by his older brother Naoya, in his first defense.
Despite not being known as a knockout puncher, with only four knockouts in his record prior to the fight, Takuma was able to give the crowd an unexpected outcome that left a statement to his future opponents.
"I didn’t know what to expect, but I’m really glad that we got this result,” Takuma stated in a post-fight interview. “I hope to show a new side of me moving forward,” he added.
Takuma Inoue improved his record to (19-1, 5 KOs) and expected to defend his belt again this year with a yet to be announced opponent.
Jerwin Ancajas also vowed to bounce back stronger as he still aims to be a world champion once again and return to the top.