Will Jerwin jinx Inoue?
By Joaquin Henson
PhilBoxing.com
Tue, 20 Feb 2024
WBA bantamweight champion Takuma Inoue has never lost to a Filipino in five fights while challenger Jerwin Ancajas has never lost to a Japanese in two. When they clash in a scheduled 12-round title bout in Tokyo on Saturday, one streak will be broken unless the match ends in a draw.
Ancajas, 32, is the more experienced boxer with 39 fights under his belt compared to Inoue’s 19. He’s also the more dangerous KO puncher with 23 abbreviated finishes in 34 wins. Inoue has scored only four KOs in 18 victories. But Inoue, 28, is a tormentor of Filipino fighters, victimizing Mark Anthony Geraldo, Rene Dacquel, Froilan Saludar, Mark John Yap and Jake Bornea. Ancajas hopes to become the first Filipino to pin a loss on Inoue. "Ready na kami," said Ancajas' trainer Joven Jimenez. "Pagsikapin namin ni Jerwin makuha ang korona." Ancajas and Jimenez left for Tokyo last Sunday.
A road warrior, Ancajas has won fights in the US (eight), Macau (three), China (two) and once in Australia, Northern Ireland and Mexico. It will be his Japanese debut. He lost to Geraldo, a common Inoue opponent, on a majority decision in Lapu-Lapu City in 2012 and dropped back-to-back verdicts to Argentina’s Fernando Martinez in the US. Ancajas has never been floored. Inoue was decked once by Saludar and once by Frenchman Nordine Oubaali. He bounced back to floor Saludar twice and won on points in 2016 but lost to Oubaali in Saitama in 2019.
Ancajas reigned as IBF superflyweight champion from 2016 to 2022 and has moved up to the bantamweight division in search of a second world crown. He has a slight half-inch height and one-inch reach advantage over Inoue. When Inoue turned pro in 2013, Ancajas had already compiled a 17-1-1 record. Since Inoue isn’t a knockout puncher like his “Monster” brother Naoya, Ancajas is expected to move in and attack early. Ancajas would rather decide the outcome on his terms and not leave his fate to the judges. Referee is Minnesota’s Mark Nelson who worked the Manny Pacquiao-Jeff Horn fight in Brisbane in 2017. Judges are Luigi Boscarelli of Italy, Kim Byung Moo of South Korea and Alex Levin of Florida. WBA supervisor is Won Kim of South Korea. Ancajas’ Japanese victims were Teiru Kinoshita and Ryuchi Funai who both lost inside the distance.
Click here to view a list of other articles written by Joaquin Henson.
Recent PhilBoxing.com In-House articles:
TRAINING CAMP NOTES: Undefeated Contender Kevin “Alfa” Brown Ready to Challenge Cletus Seldin for WBA Interim World Title on December 13
Thu, 11 Dec 2025ProBox CEO Garry Jonas Says Team Lamont Roach Looking for Tank Rematch Next or Pitbull Rematch in DC
Thu, 11 Dec 2025Jean Henri Lhuillier Celebrates Cebuana Lhuillier Sports Ambassadors Competing in SEA Games 2025
By Marlon Bernardino, Thu, 11 Dec 2025TEOFIMO LOPEZ VS. SHAKUR STEVENSON ON JANUARY 31
By Maloney L. Samaco, Wed, 10 Dec 2025QUOTES FROM TODAY’S CHM 2: REMATCH SEASON OPEN WORKOUT PRESENTED BY CHAMPIONING MENTAL HEALTH
Wed, 10 Dec 2025Villarosa to fight Antaran on Dec. 18 in Bucana
By Lito delos Reyes, Wed, 10 Dec 2025Opening Day Concludes at the 2025 USA Boxing National Championships
Wed, 10 Dec 2025Mangin is rising star in PH taekwondo
By Lito delos Reyes, Tue, 09 Dec 2025CHICKEN RANCH CASINO RESORT BACKS DECEMBER 13 NIGHT IN STOCKTON
Tue, 09 Dec 2025Brackets Set for 2025 USA Boxing National Championships in Lubbock
Tue, 09 Dec 2025Petecio, Bautista, 4 others see action in SEAG on Dec. 10
By Lito delos Reyes, Tue, 09 Dec 2025TRAINING CAMP NOTES: Super Welterweight Yoenis Tellez Ready for Redemption Bout vs. Kendo Castaneda on December 13
Tue, 09 Dec 2025Hot prospect Marco Romero Prepared to close 2025 in style
Tue, 09 Dec 2025PH favored in SEA Games triathlon
By Lito delos Reyes, Tue, 09 Dec 2025Tamayo settles to a draw in Japan
By Lito delos Reyes, Mon, 08 Dec 2025