Philippines, 09 May 2025
  Home >> News

 


BOXERS

CURRENT CHAMPIONS 

FORMER CHAMPIONS   

RATINGS                       

NEWS           

FORUM        

FIGHT GALLERIES        

RING CARD GIRLS        


 
 
News  


Jerwin used to defying odds


PhilBoxing.com





Jerwin Ancajas hopes to follow in the footsteps of 10 Filipino fighters who won world boxing championships in Japan when he takes on WBA bantamweight ruler Takuma Inoue in a scheduled 12-round bout at the Ryogoku Kokugikan National Sumo Arena in Sumida City, Tokyo tomorrow night. It’s been done before so the odds facing Ancajas aren’t insurmountable. According to The Sporting News citing an Ontario betting station, Inoue is the -275 favorite while Ancajas is the +225 underdog.

Kokugikan was the same venue where Gerry Penalosa scored a split 12-round decision over Hiroshi Kawashima to claim the WBC superflyweight title in 1997 and where Joma Gamboa hammered out a similar split 12-round verdict over Venezuela’s Noel Arambulet to win the vacant WBA minimumweight throne in 2000. It was also the arena where Flash Elorde stopped Teruo Kosaka in the 12th round to retain his world junior lightweight crown in 1964. Will Kokugikan be as lucky for Ancajas as it was for Penalosa, Gamboa and Elorde?

Penalosa’s brother Dodie Boy took the IBF lightflyweight belt on a 12th round stoppage of Satoshi Shingaki in Osaka in 1983. The Penalosas own the sole distinction of being the only Filipino brothers to win world titles in Japan. Other Filipinos who bagged world crowns in the Land of the Rising Sun were Bernabe Villacampo, Erbito Salavarria, Morris East, Luisito Espinosa, Milan Melindo, Vic Saludar and Melvin Jerusalem.

Villacampo posted a unanimous 15-round decision over Hiroyuki Ebihara for the WBA flyweight strap in Osaka in 1969. Salavarria defeated Susumu Hanagata on a split 15-round verdict to bag the WBA flyweight title in Toyama in 1975. East halted Akinobu Hiranaka in the 11th round to seize the WBA superlightweight diadem at the Nippon Budokan, Tokyo in 1992. Espinosa scored a unanimous 12-round decision over Mexico’s Manuel Medina to pocket the WBC featherweight title at the Korakuen Stadium, Tokyo in 1995. Melindo disposed of Akira Yaegashi in one round for the IBF lightflyweight crown at the Ariake Colosseum, Tokyo, in 2017. Saludar beat Ryuya Yamanaka via a unanimous 12-round verdict in Kobe in 2018. And only last year, Jerusalem starched Masataka Taniguchi in two rounds for the WBO minimumweight belt in Osaka.

The path is clear for Ancajas to replicate what 10 Filipino fighters had done before in winning world titles in Japan. Inoue is in the way but Ancajas knows what it takes to defy the odds. Ancajas wasn’t expected to dethrone previously unbeaten IBF superflyweight champion and Puerto Rico Olympian McJoe Arroyo in 2016 but he did. Ancajas wasn’t expected to reign for six years and repulse nine challengers but he did. Tomorrow night, Ancajas will attempt to trump the betting line once more.


Click here to view a list of other articles written by Joaquin Henson.


Recent PhilBoxing.com In-House articles:

  • A TRIO OF MATCHUPS ADDED TO "CHAMPIONING MENTAL HEALTH: A NIGHT OF BOXING" PRESENTED BY 555 MEDIA AND BASH BOXING
    , Fri, 09 May 2025
  • SHAW SURGES AS CAPITO STUMBLES IN TITLE DEFENCE | 2025 UK OPEN POOL CHAMPIONSHIP
    , Fri, 09 May 2025
  • 2025 USA Boxing Youth Men’s and Women’s High Performance Teams announced
    , Fri, 09 May 2025
  • Jessie Villasin chess tournament on Sunday
    By Marlon Bernardino, , Fri, 09 May 2025
  • Press Conference Notes: San Diego Favorite Emanuel Navarrete Set to Reignite Mexico-Philippines Rivalry against Charly Suarez
    , Fri, 09 May 2025
  • SALITA PROMOTIONS PRESENTS: UNDISPUTED HEAVYWEIGHT WORLD CHAMPIONSHIP CLARESSA SHIELDS vs. LANI DANIELS SATURDAY, JULY 26 * LITTLE CAESARS ARENA
    , Fri, 09 May 2025
  • Unbeaten Anthony Velazquez pitched shutout at home in Springfield
    , Fri, 09 May 2025
  • TYSON FURY VOTED THE MOST ENTERTAINING BOXER IN THE WORLD, ACCORDING TO BRITISH FANS
    , Fri, 09 May 2025
  • Undefeated super middleweight contender Darius Fulghum preparing to ‘Make a big splash’ vs. Bek Melikuziev
    , Fri, 09 May 2025
  • OKC Routs Denver; 149-106, Ties Series; Semis Series in East Remain Topsy-turvy as Boston Goes Down 0-2 With 91-90 Loss to NY
    By Teodoro Medina Reynoso, , Thu, 08 May 2025
  • SHAW SENDS A MESSAGE IN HUNT FOR UK OPEN GLORY | 2025 UK OPEN POOL CHAMPIONSHIP
    , Thu, 08 May 2025
  • WBO presents the Amanda Serrano Championships
    , Thu, 08 May 2025
  • GM Antonio faces tough competition in ASEAN Seniors Chess Championships in Penang, Malaysia
    By Marlon Bernardino, , Thu, 08 May 2025
  • Boxing: Entertainment Sport or Sport Entertainment?
    By Teodoro Medina Reynoso, , Wed, 07 May 2025
  • JIM LAMPLEY'S BOOK TOUR IS IN SOUTHERN CALIFORNIA THIS WEEK!
    , Wed, 07 May 2025
  • CAPITO IGNITES TITLE DEFENCE IN STYLE | 2025 UK OPEN POOL CHAMPIONSHIP
    , Wed, 07 May 2025
  • Sol Levinson: The Man Whose Gloves Elevated Boxing
    By Emmanuel Rivera, RRT, , Tue, 06 May 2025
  • Undefeated Cuban Heavyweight Prospect Dainier Pero Finishes Intense Las Vegas Training Camp Ahead of May 9 MVP Main Event on DAZN
    , Tue, 06 May 2025
  • The Past Week in Action 5 May 2025: Inoue-Cardenas Saves Historic Boxing Weekend; Canelo-Scull Sets New Record for Fewest Punches Thrown
    By Eric Armit, , Tue, 06 May 2025
  • Sampson Lewkowicz Congratulates Cardenas, Romero and Espinoza and Vows to Make Next Year's Cinco de Mayo Unforgettable, Highlighted by David Benavidez Facing the Winner of Bivol vs. Beterbiev
    , Tue, 06 May 2025
  • Saving the Best for Last: GSW Upstages Raw Rockets
    By Teodoro Medina Reynoso, , Tue, 06 May 2025
  • Antonio, Bagamasbad face tough competition in Woman FIDE Master Sheerie Joy Lomibao Open Rapid Chess Tournament on May 18
    By Marlon Bernardino, , Tue, 06 May 2025
  • Andres “Savage” Cortes Finishes Strong Training Camp Ahead of Crucial May 10 Clash Against Salvador Jimenez at Pechanga Arena San Diego
    , Tue, 06 May 2025
  • SALITA PROMOTIONS and ALL THE SMOKE FIGHT PRESENT HALL OF FAME FIGHT NIGHT
    , Tue, 06 May 2025
  • IBA embraces Bare Knuckle Boxing
    , Tue, 06 May 2025




  •  



     
    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
    © 2025 philboxing.com.