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:
Into fights for IBA championship on April 24
By Lito delos Reyes, Fri, 24 Apr 2026Camigue fights in Tanzania on April 24
By Lito delos Reyes, Fri, 24 Apr 2026Team USA Captures Three More Wins on Day Three at World Boxing Cup – Stage 1
Fri, 24 Apr 20261,400 runners in Sagisag Davao Leg
By Lito delos Reyes, Fri, 24 Apr 2026The Marvelous Cup Invitational tourney set
By Marlon Bernardino, Fri, 24 Apr 2026Junior Middleweights Currently The Hottest Division In Boxing!
By Ralph Rimpell, Thu, 23 Apr 2026All Star Boxing Announces 'Clash of the Unbeaten' on May 22nd In Panama
Thu, 23 Apr 2026Oliver Laroya Chess Tournament on April 25
By Marlon Bernardino, Thu, 23 Apr 2026Robert “The Ghost” Guerrero and Undefeated Rising Prospect Robert Guerrero Jr. to Appear at 3rd Annual Battle of the Trades on April 25
Thu, 23 Apr 2026WBC WORLD CHAMPION DALTON SMITH SIGNS NEW LONG-TERM CONTRACT EXTENSION WITH EDDIE HEARN’S MATCHROOM BOXING
Thu, 23 Apr 2026USA Boxing Elite High Performance Team Swept Day Two of World Boxing Cup - Stage 1
Thu, 23 Apr 2026FAELDONIA & NGO RULE STA. FE, ROMBLON, TABLAS OPEN CHESS TOURNAMENT
Thu, 23 Apr 2026Manny Pacquiao Chess Philippines heads to Okada, Manila
By Marlon Bernardino, Thu, 23 Apr 2026May 16: Kelvin Davis-Peter Dobson Welterweight Clash & Yan Santana-Cristian Cruz Featherweight Battle Added to Keyshawn Davis-Nahir Albright II Card LIVE on DAZN
Wed, 22 Apr 2026World Super Flyweight contender John ‘Scrappy’ Ramirez waiting for Jesse ‘Bam’ Rodriguez’ final decision
Wed, 22 Apr 2026