Philippines, 19 Sep 2025
  Home >> News

 


BOXERS

CURRENT CHAMPIONS 

FORMER CHAMPIONS   

RATINGS                       

NEWS           

FORUM        

FIGHT GALLERIES        

RING CARD GIRLS        


 
 
News  


ANCAJAS RETAINS BELT AGAINST TOUGH MEXICAN RODRIGUEZ


PhilBoxing.com




Jerwin Ancajas of the Philippines successfully retained his IBF superfly title against Jonathan Javier Rodriguez of Mexico at the Mohegan Sun Casino in Uncasville, Connecticut Saturday night (Sunday in Manila) but not after going thru the eye of the needle so to speak as Rodriguez showed why he deserved to be Ancajas's mandatory challenger as he gave the defending champion hell throughout the fight.

Ancajas dropped Rodriguez in the 8th round and got the nod of all three judges - Tony Paolillo 115-112, Tom Schreck 116-111 and Don Trella 117-110 - for a unanimous decision victory but the scores did not reflect the real flow of the fight as it was close at every round.

Fighting in a torrid pace and giving no quarters, both Ancajas and Rodriguez gave as much punches as they received that would have put a packed audience at the edge of their seats had they been around to witness the fight live. At every big punch that Ancajas throws to the body or head of Rodriguez, the Mexican seemed always to have an answer, catching Ancajas with his own combinations that, credit to Jerwin, he always take well.

Ancajas whose got a signature body punching ability, used this weapon to the hilt, landing 131 of it at Rodriguez according to Compubox, and it appeared to pay off big time when he finally dropped Rodriguez in the 8th round who at that time seemed to be tiring. In the 9th, Rodriguez was hurt again in the body and and appeared ready to be taken out. But the Mexican held on and kept throwing back punches at Ancajas who by this time had probably used every trick in his repertoire to try to put away Rodriguez.


Ancajas and Rodriguez go at each other the whole night.

The torrid pace continued in the 10th round as Rodriguez kept on going forward absorbing everything Ancajas's bombs and throwing his own combinations in return. In the championship rounds, Ancajas appeared to tire as both fighters seemed to be fighting more by will than skill but still never giving an inch as each was determined to come out the victor and each never stopped throwing punches until the final bell.

Perhaps recognizing what they've done and went thru that very night, Ancajas and Rodriguez hugged for a long time right after the fight ended and then again hugged while both kneeling on the canvas and although speaking in different languages, talked for some time.

Add this fight to the storied and colorful rivalry between the the Philippines and Mexico atop the ring where many unforgetabble fights happened throughout history.

Ancajas later told Jim Gray of Showtime that "this 9th title defense is my most difficult" and gave credit to Rodriguez to have too much heart, touching his chest with his fist.

Ancajas also told Gray that he wants to unify the 115 belts if there is an opportunity.

Rodriguez, who has become a revelation fighting for the first in America live on a big boxing network Showtime, said afterwards that the scores should have been closer but coming over he expected that the judges would favor the champion.

Ancajas now improves his record to 33 wins, 1 loss and 2 draws and has never lost since being waylaid by Mark Anthony Geraldo on March 17, 2012 in Lapu-Lapu City, Cebu.

Rodriguez meanwhile dropped to 22-2-0 and was knocked down for the first time in his career.


Click here to view a list of other articles written by Dong Secuya.


Recent PhilBoxing.com In-House articles:

  • “Thrilla” card takes shape
    By Joaquin Henson, , Thu, 18 Sep 2025
  • Wishing Best to Jayson Vayson in his World Title Challenge!
    By Carlos Costa, , Thu, 18 Sep 2025
  • Vayson aims to make history
    By Joaquin Henson, , Thu, 18 Sep 2025
  • KAIPO GALLEGOS TRAINING CAMP NOTES
    , Thu, 18 Sep 2025
  • Day Two of 2025 USA Boxing National Open Delivers 108 Action-Packed Bouts in Tulsa
    , Thu, 18 Sep 2025
  • Bryce Mills Boxes James Bernadin At del Lago Resort & Casino On Thursday, Oct. 30, in Waterloo, NY
    , Thu, 18 Sep 2025
  • Caribbean Clash Returns Friday, November 7th at Gulfstream Park Casino in Hallandale, Florida
    , Thu, 18 Sep 2025
  • VM Sotto, City Council Recognize GM Joey Antonio
    By Marlon Bernardino, , Thu, 18 Sep 2025
  • Larida is Southern Coach of the Year
    By Lito delos Reyes, , Thu, 18 Sep 2025
  • D.C. Knockout Artist Scooter Davis Signs Promotional Contract with Top Rank
    , Thu, 18 Sep 2025
  • THE PAST WEEK IN ACTION 15 SEPTEMBER 2025: Crawford Snatches Canelo's Undisputed Crown at 168 Lbs; Inoue Defeats Akhmadliev to Retain 4 Superbantam Belts; Crocker Outpoints Donovan
    By Eric Armit, , Wed, 17 Sep 2025
  • TICKET NEWS: EUBANK JR-BENN II ON SALE FROM THIS WEDNESDAY
    , Wed, 17 Sep 2025
  • “Night of Champions” Returns to Caribe Royale Resort in Orlando on September 19
    , Wed, 17 Sep 2025
  • Canelo-Crawford: The Consolidation of Boxing’s New Commercial Empire
    By Gabriel F. Cordero, , Wed, 17 Sep 2025
  • A New Era for Boxing: Canelo vs. Crawford Shatters Global Viewership Records on Netflix
    By Dong Secuya, , Wed, 17 Sep 2025
  • Crawford Not the First Lightweight to Distinguish Himself at Super Middleweight
    By Teodoro Medina Reynoso, , Wed, 17 Sep 2025
  • Kurt Scoby and Josh Popper Headline Boxing Insider Card September 19 in Times Square
    , Wed, 17 Sep 2025
  • Green and Gold 2025: Amateur Boxing’s International Gathering in Bolivia
    By Gabriel F. Cordero, , Wed, 17 Sep 2025
  • Pakistan's Sameer Khan Set to Battle for UBO Youth World Title in Brico Santig’s Sep 27 Show in Thailand
    By Carlos Costa, , Tue, 16 Sep 2025
  • SAMBO Pilipinas is Southern NSA of the Year 2025
    By Lito delos Reyes, , Tue, 16 Sep 2025
  • Kingsley “The Black Lion” Ibeh To headline historic “Legacy Nights” Inaugural Pro Boxing event in El Salvador
    , Tue, 16 Sep 2025
  • Smarts over power
    By Joaquin Henson, , Tue, 16 Sep 2025
  • HALL OF FAME FLIES FLAGS AT HALF-STAFF FOR TWO-DIVISION CHAMPION RICKY HATTON
    , Tue, 16 Sep 2025
  • Kazakhstan tops the medal table at the inaugural World Boxing Championships 2025 thanks to victory in the final bout of the competition
    , Tue, 16 Sep 2025
  • THRILLA IN MANILA GOLDEN ANNIVERSARY 13: JOE FRAZIER’S HUMBLE BEGINNINGS AS AN AMATEUR FIGHTER
    By Maloney L. Samaco, , Mon, 15 Sep 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.