Philippines, 31 Jan 2026
  Home >> News

 


BOXERS

CURRENT CHAMPIONS 

FORMER CHAMPIONS   

RATINGS                       

NEWS           

FORUM        

FIGHT GALLERIES        

RING CARD GIRLS        


 
 
News  


Can Ancajas shoot for Chocolatito?


PhilBoxing.com




HANDLERS have all the reason to be very excited about Filipino world boxing champion Jerwin Ancajas, who made a successful first defense of his IBF super flyweight crown in Macau on Sunday. At the same time though, they should practice caution, lest the celebrations get out of hand.

For one, the conquest of Mexican journeyman Jose Alfredo Rodriguez, who failed to answer the bell for the 8th round, could appear sensational enough. Ancajas did display vast improvement, at the same time showcasing his well-rounded prowess.

A second look at the stoppage, caused by a shoulder problem on the part of the overmatched challenger, would however show that the victory was not truly grand as had been pictured.

**

It cannot pass off as a true confirmation or legit tough test,
It?s like this. The great Gabriel Elorde loved to say that, in the exacting world of professional boxing, a champion could get confirmed only after he has succeeded in his first title defense. That was quite believable in the era of Elorde, when a champion came in pure solid form, when there was no over-supply of half-baked titlists caused by the proliferation of alphabet soup boxing associations.

Elorde was WBA junior lightweight champion for over seven years. He faced the toughest in his division, after stopping Harold Gomes of Rhode Island at the Araneta Coliseum in March 1960.

**

Ancajas was sensational in grabbing the IBF 115-lb crown from McJoe Arroyo of Puerto Rico in Taguig City last September. It was one of the big upsets of the past year.

In Macau on Sunday, Ancajas had a punching picnic, and completed his first title defense practically trouble-free.

An unnerving truth would surface after the mismatch: Rodriguez had no business fighting for the crown.

**

The Mexican, a certified patsy, was a picture of total ineptitude.

Ancajas now has a record of 26 wins, 1 loss and 1 draw, 17 KOs, winning 12 of his last 13 fights by knockout.

Rodriguez fell to 35 wins 5 losses with 19 KOs.

As noted by Jake Donavan of FightScene. com, Rodriguez did absolutely nothing to earn the title shot on Sunday. Donavan said the Mexican has fallen miserably short on the stage. He was outclassed by Alberto Rossel last April and, without winning or fighting his way back into contention, was sent to Japan where he served as cannon fodder for Kazuto Ioka in a 108-lb title bout.

**

Well, we can?t blame Ancajas for facing a worthless foe in his first title defense. He did not choose Rodriguez.

There?s a problem. There?s suddenly risen a suggestion for Ancajas to try and go after the unbeaten Roman ?Chocolatito? Gonzalez, reigning world pound-for-pound king.

Not so fast please. As Flash Elorde loved to say, ?Wag kang bara-bara Bay,? don?t be reckless.

**

(LIBERATION HARANA: There?ll be love in the air today in the Mandaluyong Children Choir?s Harana Mandaleno Liberation concert at the Kaban ng Hiyas Auditorium, City Hall Compound, starting at 6:00 pm. There?ll be special numbers from the guest choir of the Association of Senior Citizens in Mandaluyong. The concert is being presented by Mayor Menchie Abalos and the City Government on its 72nd Liberation Day and 23rd Cityhood Anniversary.)


Click here to view a list of other articles written by Recah Trinidad.


Recent PhilBoxing.com In-House articles:

  • NEWCASTLE WEIGH-IN RESULTS AND FIGHT NIGHT RUNNING ORDER CONFIRMED AS MURTAZALIEV AND KELLY CLASH FOR WORLD TITLE
    , Fri, 30 Jan 2026
  • Boxers Make Weight for Brico Santig’s Exciting 21-Bout Promotion in Thailand (PHOTOS)
    By Carlos Costa, , Fri, 30 Jan 2026
  • “It’s time for TSABZ to shine” Get to know Tanaka Saburi as he retuns March 13 in Perth – Thunderdome 53
    , Fri, 30 Jan 2026
  • ATLANTIC CITY BOXING HALL OF FAME ANNOUNCES CLASS OF 2026
    , Fri, 30 Jan 2026
  • Manny Pacquiao Chess Philippines: WCM Nika Juris Nicolas is Ready to Fight
    By Marlon Bernardino, , Fri, 30 Jan 2026
  • PFDA Grass Nationals in Tagum on June 5-7
    By Lito delos Reyes, , Fri, 30 Jan 2026
  • Press Conference Notes: Puerto Rican Star Xander Zayas Ready for Saturday's Hometown Unification Battle against Abass Baraou
    , Fri, 30 Jan 2026
  • PFDA Grass Nationals in Tagum on June 5-7
    By Lito delos Reyes, , Fri, 30 Jan 2026
  • ‘THE RING 6’ TEOFIMO LOPEZ VS. SHAKUR STEVENSON PRESS CONFERENCE QUOTES
    , Fri, 30 Jan 2026
  • NEWCASTLE PRESS CONFERENCE: WHAT WAS SAID AS JOSH KELLY AND BAKHRAM MURTAZALIEV ARE KEPT APART AFTER HEATED FACE-OFF
    , Fri, 30 Jan 2026
  • Weights From ProBoxTV’s ‘Flores vs. Castillo’ at Live! Casino Hotel Maryland
    , Fri, 30 Jan 2026
  • WAPA Deportes Confirmed as Puerto Rican Broadcast Home for Saturday’s Xander Zayas vs. Abass Baraou Title Unification Showdown
    , Fri, 30 Jan 2026
  • Legendary Panamanian Juan Carlos Tapia will be inducted into the Atlantic City Boxing Hall of Fame
    By Gabriel F. Cordero, , Fri, 30 Jan 2026
  • Manny Pacquiao Promotions Announces Additional Matchups for Saturday, February 28 Event at Turning Stone Resort Casino in Verona, New York
    , Fri, 30 Jan 2026
  • SWERVE TV STRIKES MULTI-YEAR PARTNERSHIP WITH GOLDEN BOY PROMOTIONS TO EXPAND PREMIUM BOXING CONTENT
    , Fri, 30 Jan 2026
  • Leuenbergers to join IRONMAN® 70.3 Davao
    By Lito delos Reyes, , Fri, 30 Jan 2026
  • Open Workout: Xander Zayas and Abass Baraou Prepare For Saturday's Unification Showdown in Puerto Rico
    , Thu, 29 Jan 2026
  • Cabrera-Zapata Kicks Off All Star Boxing's 2026 Season
    , Thu, 29 Jan 2026
  • Manny Pacquiao Chess Philippines: Cash prizes, FIDE rating at stakes this Sunday
    By Marlon Bernardino, , Thu, 29 Jan 2026
  • IBP Fun Run & Family Day on February 15
    By Lito delos Reyes, , Thu, 29 Jan 2026
  • TEOFIMO LOPEZ AND SHAKUR STEVENSON FACE-OFF AT KNICKS GAME AS COUNTDOWN TO ‘THE RING 6’ ON SATURDAY BEGINS
    , Wed, 28 Jan 2026
  • Davao to sponsor P500K in IRONMAN 70.3
    By Lito delos Reyes, , Wed, 28 Jan 2026
  • JOSH KELLY SOUNDS WARNING TO WORLD TITLE RIVAL BAKHRAM MURTAZALIEV AS HE TARGETS HISTORIC NORTH EAST HOMECOMING
    , Wed, 28 Jan 2026
  • Gallegos and Alvarez Shine Bright with Knockout Wins at Fontainebleau Las Vegas
    , Wed, 28 Jan 2026
  • Pedro Carrasco Remembered in Spain 25 Years After His Passing
    By Gabriel F. Cordero, , Wed, 28 Jan 2026




  •  



     
    PhilBoxing.com has been created to support every aspiring
    Filipino boxer and the Philippine boxing scene in general.
    Please send comments to feedback@philboxing.com


    PRIVATE POLICY | LEGAL DISCLAIMER
    developed and maintained by dong secuya
    © 2026 philboxing.com.