Jerwin reveals weigh-in ordeal
By Joaquin Henson
PhilBoxing.com
Tue, 27 Feb 2024
Jerwin Ancajas, who was knocked out by WBA bantamweight champion Takuma Inoue in Tokyo last Saturday, revealed yesterday he was over the 118-pound limit the morning of the weigh-in the day before the fight.
Ancajas’ manager/trainer Joven Jimenez confirmed it. “Natakot kami noong umaga kasi five pounds (overweight),” he said. “Halos hindi namin nakuha ang timbang. Maaga kami nagpapawis, mitts at takbo.”
When Ancajas stepped on the scales, he tipped in at 117 3/4, the same as Inoue. But Ancajas shed off all his clothes to make it as in a test-run, he was 0.7 of a gram over. “First time na experience ko naghubad sa weigh-in at twalya ang ginamit pangtakip,” said Ancajas. “Hirap ako sa timbang. Bago mag-training, umabot ako ng 150. Kaya sa susunod na laban, kakausapin ko si (MP Promotions head) Sir Sean (Gibbons) baka umakyat ako sa 122 o 126. Lumaki na ako at bumigat. Kailangan na mag-move up.”
In Ancajas’ previous fight, he weighed 121 3/4. For Inoue, he went down to bantamweight for the chance to bag a second world title. Ancajas appeared a step slow because of the loss in weight and couldn’t keep pace with the fast-moving Inoue. He was often beaten to the punch in close quarters and failed to consistently cut the ring off on Inoue.
Ancajas said the two blows he took in the pit of his stomach left him out of breath. “Di ako makahinga,” he said. “Babangon sana ako pero ‘di ko kaya. Parang nag shut-down ang katawan ko.” The shots immobilized Ancajas as the solar plexus nervous system involves the abdominal organs, including the esophagus. A punch to the solar plexus will take the air out of anyone if it lands at the point of inhaling. “Timing talaga,” said Jimenez. “Hindi na makatayo si Jerwin.”
Gibbons said Ancajas’ punches had more snap in the early going. Entering the ninth round where Inoue scored the knockout, Gibbons scored it dead even. “Back to the drawing boards but not square one,” he said, referring to Ancajas’ experience as a boost to a comeback. Ancajas, 32, will study what division to fight in next. Inoue’s brother Naoya rules the 122-pound superbantamweight class but Gibbons said by the time Ancajas is ready to fight for the throne, the Japanese “Monster” will have likely moved up in weight.
Click here to view a list of other articles written by Joaquin Henson.
Recent PhilBoxing.com In-House articles:
Fight of the Night in Thailand: Ador Torres and Sairike Tuolewutayi Battle to a Thrilling Draw
By Carlos Costa, Wed, 11 Feb 2026Young Australian Benji Birchell Claims Title Win in Thailand
Wed, 11 Feb 2026Tickets for the Inaugural “Mike Tyson Invitational” Amateur Fight Night on Saturday, March 14, in Las Vegas Are on Sale Now
Wed, 11 Feb 20262026 USA Boxing Men's Elite High Performance Team and Squad Rosters Announced
Wed, 11 Feb 2026IIEE, SAEP shared lead, PIChE won 3rd in a row in the PTC WED NEMO Chess
By Marlon Bernardino, Wed, 11 Feb 2026The Ninth Annual Box Fan Expo RETURNS! Saturday May 2, 2026 at the Las Vegas Convention Center, Las Vegas, NV
Wed, 11 Feb 2026THE PAST WEEK IN ACTION 9 FEBRUARY 2026: Figueroa Stops Ball in 12; Medina Outpoints Curiel; Asanau, Unal Win in Montreal
By Eric Armit, Tue, 10 Feb 2026Paradero gets a rematch against Francisco
By Lito delos Reyes, Tue, 10 Feb 2026Carcedo wins WBA Asia South super welterweight title
By Lito delos Reyes, Tue, 10 Feb 2026Shark attack in Florida Marco “El Tiburón” Romero Making waves on Feb. 19
Tue, 10 Feb 202619-1 Albanian heavyweight Kristian Prenga returns on February 21 to Atlantic City
Tue, 10 Feb 20262026 USA Boxing Elite High Performance Women's Team and Squad Rosters Announced
Tue, 10 Feb 2026Filipino child prodigy Asher Judd Sy tops the 3rd King’s College Bangkok Chess Championship
By Marlon Bernardino, Tue, 10 Feb 2026Chaos in Liverpool: Figueroa Silences Echo Arena with 12th-Round Fireworks
By Dong Secuya, Sun, 08 Feb 2026Gabriel Santisima Stuns Unbeaten World Ranked and WBO Asia Pacific Champion Subaru Murata to Capture WBO Asia Pacific Title at Korakuen Hall, Tokyo
Sun, 08 Feb 2026