Ancajas delivers in style, KOs foe
By Joaquin Henson
PhilBoxing.com
Mon, 05 Feb 2018
CORPUS CHRISTI. IBF superflyweight champion Jerwin Ancajas may not be the next Manny Pacquiao but from the way he demolished Mexican challenger Israel Gonzalez at the American Bank Center here Saturday night (yesterday morning, Manila) with patient precision, the southpaw is living up to expectations of following in the ring icon?s footsteps.
Ancajas, 26, set the tone early when he landed a vicious counter left hook to the jaw that sent Gonzalez down for a mandatory eight-count 55 seconds into the first round. But Gonzalez, 21, fought back courageously, trying to bait Ancajas to brawl so he could counter. Ancajas wouldn?t bite and when Gonzalez realized it was an exercise of futility, the Mexican went on survival mode.
Ancajas ended the massacre at 1:50 of the 10th round as referee Rafael Ramos waved it off after a rubbery-legged Gonzalez fell from a left hook to the head. Gonzalez was decked by a left straight to the face about 20 seconds earlier. The Mexican sat on the canvas, exhausted, hurt and frustrated, for about a minute after the stoppage and Ancajas knelt beside him in a classy gesture of sportsmanship.
?I wanted to show him respect as a fellow fighter,? said Ancajas in Pilipino. ?Even though he lost, I wanted to boost his morale. I told him sorry but he?s still young. He has a lot more fights to go, a lot more title shots.? Ancajas? consoling act drew widespread positive reaction from media and Gonzalez? fans.
Ancajas had a field day landing 1-2 combinations, first with a right jab to the midsection then with a left straight to the head. His trainer Joven Jimenez initially planned to use 1-2-3-4 combinations but backtracked when Gonzalez looked dangerous as a counterpuncher. Instead, Ancajas strung two punches together then took a step back to throw Gonzalez off-balance. The trick worked like a charm. Gonzalez never found his distance, winged away aimlessly and was a sucker for Ancajas? blows. Ancajas kept Gonzalez guessing throughout the bout, alternating leads of right jabs to the head or body and left straights upstairs. Gonzalez couldn?t figure out where Ancajas? punches were coming from.
The three judges didn?t score a round for the Mexican as Lisa Giampa of Las Vegas, Joel Elizondo of San Antonio and Fernando Villareal of Oak Hill, California, had it 90-80 entering the 10th round. The Compubox stats showed a wide margin as Ancajas connected on 130 of 477 total punches for 27 percent compared to Gonzalez? 48 of 303 for 16 percent. Ancajas landed more power shots, 84 of 231 for 36 percent compared to Gonzalez? 46 of 202 for 19 percent. The Filipino had an overwhelming edge in jabs, 46-2.
Ancajas said he saw fear in Gonzalez? eyes from the second round. ?He lost his confidence after the first knockdown,? said Ancajas. ?But I didn?t want to rush him. That?s what he wanted me to do so he could counter. I waited for him to get tired. When I got my distance and timing, I went for the knockout.?
Gonzalez stormed out of his corner in the fifth round and turned aggressive as if going for broke. Ancajas easily weathered the surge, displaying head movement to avoid punches and by the end of the round, it was Gonzalez on the retreat. Gonzalez was warned for a low blow in the seventh round and near the bell, got caught with a vicious right hook. Ancajas peppered Gonzalez at will in the eighth and in the ninth, the Mexican hardly threw a punch, showing signs of exhaustion. The curtains fell on Gonzalez in the next round.
Click here to view a list of other articles written by Joaquin Henson.
Recent PhilBoxing.com In-House articles:
SPORTS SHORTS 285: AMIR KHAN ACCEPTS OFFER FOR AN EXHIBITION MATCH WITH MANNY PACQUIAO
By Maloney L. Samaco, Mon, 25 Nov 2024FOGOUM, TOSHIHIKO, KIM, RATTAWUT, RUF, CHUTINAN IN ACTION IN HIGHLAND’S EXCITING “SHOWDOWN” NOV 28 AT SPACEPLUS IN BANGKOK, THAILAND
By Carlos Costa, Mon, 25 Nov 2024Gil Robiego Co Elected New APPBRO President for 2025-2027
By Carlos Costa, Mon, 25 Nov 2024Garma wins, climbs to 8th place
By Marlon Bernardino, Mon, 25 Nov 2024Davao futsal scores 1st win
By Lito delos Reyes, Mon, 25 Nov 2024Filipino FIDE Master Mario Mangubat is the new FIDE World Senior 65 over category Rapid Champion
Sun, 24 Nov 2024Thunderdome 48 - Jude Grant vs Fano Kori
Sun, 24 Nov 2024World Boxing backs plan to create a new Confederation in Asia
Sun, 24 Nov 2024The message is clear – Asian Boxing Confederation remains united with the IBA
Sun, 24 Nov 2024OSCAR DE LA HOYA FOUNDATION HOSTS 25TH ANNUAL TURKEY GIVEAWAY FOR EAST LOS ANGELES COMMUNITY
Sun, 24 Nov 2024Life vs. Death: The Ultimate Ringside Showdown Immortalized in Pierce Egan’s Boxiana
By Emmanuel Rivera, RRT, Sat, 23 Nov 2024SPORTS SHORTS 284: TEAM MARK MAGSAYO CONFIRMS RETURN TO THE RING ON DECEMBER 14
By Maloney L. Samaco, Sat, 23 Nov 2024RJP Boxing promotes in Bucana on Dec. 17
By Lito delos Reyes, Sat, 23 Nov 2024Good Prospects at Minimumweight, Light Fly, Super Bantam and Super Feather in 2025
By Teodoro Medina Reynoso, Sat, 23 Nov 2024Filipino International Master Chito Danilo Garma is the new World Senior Blitz champion; Filipino FIDE Master Mario Mangubat takes the bronze medal
By Marlon Bernardino, Sat, 23 Nov 2024