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Philippines, 12 Feb 2026 |
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Ancajas Among the Best at 115; Magsayo Has to Step Up Foes By Teodoro Medina Reynoso PhilBoxing.com Mon, 12 Apr 2021  By dominating his tough Mexican mandatory challenger Jonathan Javier Rodriguez in pounding out a 12 round unanimous decision win to successfully defend his IBF world super flyweight title for the ninth time, Jerwin Ancajas of the Philippines proved that he is undoubtedly among the very best 115 pounder around. However, countryman Mark Magsayo has to dramatically step up on the level of his opposition to gain attention at featherweight as he bowled over a hapless Pablo Cruz as expected in the fourth round of their scheduled 10 round fight. The two Filipinos separately saw action in the undercards supporting the main event bout held at the Mohegan Sun arena in Uncasville, Connecticut that had the prodigious American welterweight Jaron Boots Ennis raising his stock and undefeated record by stopping Sergei Lipinets in the sixth round of their 10 round bout which could be considered as a sort of title eliminator. Ancajas demonstrated his all around abilities, outboxing and outjabbing Rodriguez and getting the best of spirited close quarters fighting whenever the aggressive Mexican was able to force him into such. Despite the grueling action and the fast pace of the fight, Ancajas was never in danger and at times, he seemed more bothered by restraining himself as his corner time and again reminded him to stick to the game plan. Ancajas opened the first round strong and almost toppled Rodriguez with a powerful left. In the succeeding rounds, he had the Mexican always beaten to the punch though Rodriguez continued to plod forward while throwing punches of his own. Many of the Mexican punches were either picked up and blocked by Jerwin or hit the air. Those that landed were ably absorbed by Ancajas who proceeded to retaliate with harsher punishments of his own. In the eight, the cumulative effect of Ancajas's punches finally told on Rodriguez as he fell down and had to take a mandatory eight count from the referee. However, sensing that he was behind on points, Rodriguez forced the action in the remaining four rounds, fighting zombie like as Ancajas wisely waged a defensive fight until the final bell. Rodriguez had earned a reputation as a very dangerous fighter as in one of his last fights he nearly killed his opponent, veteran fellow Mexican Felipe Orocuta who had to undergo brain surgery to remove a blood clot. Ancajas was amply rewarded by the judges who turned in cards of 117-110 (Don Trella), 116-111 (Tom Shreck) and 115-112 (Tony Panlilio). He upped his record to 33-1 with 22 KOs while Rodriguez impaired to 22-2. Meanwhile, Magsayo decked Cruz twice before finishing him off in the fourth round utilizing powerful lefts to do the job. It was Magsayo's 22nd straight career victory, 15 by KO. Cruz suffered his 4th loss, only his 2nd KO defeat as against 18 wins. Though Magsayo impressed in his latest win, his opponent Cruz left so much to be desired like his two previous also unranked foes, Mexican Rigoberto Hermosillo and Thai ex-WBO bantamweight titlist Panya Uthok whom he defeated just on points. Cruz who was last stopped in 2015 by a certain Adam Lopez, proved very vulnerable to the left as before and his devil may care stance only aggravated his plight as he seemed to ask for more to which Magsayo was only happy to oblige. As it is, Lopez's face first knockout win over Cruz six years ago was more impressive and yet Lopez got nowhere at super bantamweight proving sub par against world class opposition. Definitely, Magsayo's handlers have to raise the quality of his opposition whom he had to also beat convincingly in order to create waves in the loaded featherweight division ruled by such top names as Leo Santacruz, Gary Russell, Can Xu and Emmanuel Navarette. The author Teodoro Medina Reynoso is a veteran boxing radio talk show host living in the Philippines. He can be reached at teddyreynoso@yahoo.com and by phone 09215309477. Click here to view a list of other articles written by Teodoro Medina Reynoso.  |
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