ANCAJAS RETAINS IBF WORLD TITLE VIA 6TH ROUND TKO OVER IRISH CHALLENGER

FILIPINO defending IBF world super flyweight champion Jerwin “Pretty Boy” Ancajas retained his title via a 6th round technical knockout against Irish challenger Jamie “The Mexican” Conlan last Nov. 18 at the SSE Arena in Belfast, Northern Ireland.

The 25-year old Ancajas, a native of Panabo City downed the previously unbeaten Conlan four times – once in Rounds 1, 3, 4 and 6.
But Ancajas was also deducted a point in Round 5 for repeated low blows. Conlan was downed by a Ancajas’ hook in the 6th round. Conlan was able to beat the mandatory 8 count but referee Steve Gray still decided to stop the fight after seeing that it was too much already for Conlan.

“Maraming salamat po. Una kay God na nagbigay ng lakas at panalo sa laban ko at sa mga tao pong nag dasal sa laban. Maraming maraming salamat po (Thank you. First to God who gave me strength at the victory in my fight and to all the people who prayed for the fight. Thank very much!) said Ancajas in his Facebook message.
“Nalipay dyud ko me tanan. Wala me magtuo na dili na mahuman ang dula kay kusog pud ang kalaban (We are all very happy. We did not expect that the fight will not be finished because the opponent was all strong) said Ancajas, who improved his record to 28 wins with 19 knockouts against only one loss and one draw.

The 31-year old Conlan only suffered his first defeat after 19 straight wins with 11 knockouts.
It was the third successful title defense by Ancajas, who previously defended it via a7th round TKO against Japanese challenger Teiru Kinoshita last July 2 in the undercard of the Manny Pacquiao-Jeff Horn championship in Brisbane, Australia.

Ancajas is set to fly back to Manila tomorrow together with his team led by manager-trainer Joven Jimenez.
“Sana maka uwi ako sa amin sa Panabo (I hope I can go home to Panabo) said Ancajas.
Jimenez said that Ancajas can take anybody in the super flyweight or junior bantamweight division. The other current world champions are Naoya Inoue of Japan (WBO), Khalid Yafai of United Kingdom (WBA) and Srisaket Sor Rungvisai of Thailand (WBC).

“Pero wala pa me plano Sir (But there is still no plan),” said the always humble Ancajas, who plans to finish the on-going construction of his house and boxing gym in Magallanes, Cavite. (LITO DELOS REYES)