| |
|
Ancajas homecoming long overdue
By Joaquin Henson
PhilBoxing.com
Sun, 22 Sep 2024
It’s been eight years since former IBF superflyweight champion Jerwin Ancajas fought at home and attempting a bold comeback after losing three of his last four bouts, he returns on local soil against Thai veteran Sukpraserd Ponpitak in a scheduled 10-round bout on the Melvin Jerusalem-Luis Castillo undercard at the Mandaluyong City College tonight.
Ancajas, 32, is making his debut as a featherweight and determined to rebound from a ninth round knockout loss to WBA bantamweight titlist Takuma Inoue in Tokyo last February. His last 13 bouts were held overseas as he invaded rings in the US, Mexico, Northern Ireland, Macau and Australia. Ancajas’ homecoming is long overdue.
Ponpitak, 36, has experience on his side with 49 fights under his belt compared to Ancajas’ 40. The Thai’s record is 30-19, with 20 KOs and eight of his victims were Filipinos. In 2015, Ponpitak traveled to Davao and lost to Mark Magsayo on a fifth round stoppage. He’s no stranger to foreign rings with previous outings in Malaysia, Dubai, Japan, Korea, China, Russia, Australia, Tanzania and the Philippines. Ponpitak is coming off a win by majority decision over Armenia’s Mikael Arutyunyan in Bangkok last June.
For Ancajas, losing isn’t an option. He reigned as IBF superflyweight champion from 2016 to 2022, losing the crown on his 10th defense to Argentina’s Fernando Martinez. Ancajas failed to regain the title in a rematch, bounced back to halt Wilmer Soto then bowed to Inoue. His record is 34-4-2, with 23 KOs. Long-time coach/trainer Joven Jimenez and Alexis Abillar will be in Ancajas’ corner for the Ponpitak fight.
Ancajas’ motivation is dedicating the fight to his growing family. Last Thursday, his wife Ruth gave birth to their fifth child Justin Kerwin at the Tanza Specialists Medical Center in Cavite. His other children are Kyrie 11, Kyle nine, Jackey Kiera six and Jazz Klay one. Ancajas is out to celebrate the birth of his fifth child with a victory tonight.
Click here to view a list of other articles written by Joaquin Henson.
Recent PhilBoxing.com In-House articles:
Mauricio Sulaiman: WBC wants to protect fighters' dream of becoming a world champion
By Gabriel F. Cordero, , Thu, 15 Jan 2026Xander Zayas: "It's Time to Make History!"
, Thu, 15 Jan 2026Weights from Trenton, NJ
, Thu, 15 Jan 2026Pro Boxer and Recent Grad Returns for Fight Night on the Farm — Celebrating Stanford’s Boxing Community
, Thu, 15 Jan 2026Jamaine Ortiz Aims to Derail Keyshawn Davis’ Undefeated Streak at Madison Square Garden
, Wed, 14 Jan 2026“No bad blood from me”- Good friends become better rivals – Clarke is ready for Cruiserweight title Clash March 13 in Perth – Thunderdome 53
, Wed, 14 Jan 2026Itauma suffers injury; Magnificent 7 rescheduled to March 28
By Gabriel F. Cordero, , Wed, 14 Jan 2026Top Super Lightweights Bryan Flores & Starling Castillo Battle in 10-Round Main Event of ProBoxTV’s ‘The Contender Series’
, Wed, 14 Jan 2026Harden surpasses Shaquille O'Neal's to become the ninth all-time leading scorer in NBA history
By Gabriel F. Cordero, , Wed, 14 Jan 2026“It’s time, LFG” - Holly McMath Trilogy for WBC Title Clash March 13 in Perth – Thunderdome 53
, Tue, 13 Jan 2026IBA President Kremlev encourages sporting organisations to protect women’s sport following Trump’s statement on Imane Khelif
, Tue, 13 Jan 2026REYES, STRICKLAND, BUSTAMANTE & SOUQUET SET FOR HISTORIC SHOWDOWN AT WNT LEGENDS – EVERYTHING YOU NEED TO KNOW
, Tue, 13 Jan 2026Pumicpic fights Korean in Japan
By Lito delos Reyes, , Tue, 13 Jan 2026No. 1 rated WBA Super Flyweight contender John “Scrappy” Ramirez remains patient and Looks forward to a 2026 World title shot
, Tue, 13 Jan 2026Ironman 70.3 Davao on March 22
By Lito delos Reyes, , Tue, 13 Jan 2026THE PAST WEEK IN ACTION 12 JANUARY 2026: Dalton Smith Halts Subriel Matias in 5; Kabayel Stops Knyba in 3
By Eric Armit, , Mon, 12 Jan 2026Chess Players Association of Negros Occidental, Incorporated (CPANOI) – 2026 Opening Event
By Marlon Bernardino, , Mon, 12 Jan 2026STUNNING SMITH DESTROYS MATIAS TO BECOME WORLD CHAMPION
, Sun, 11 Jan 2026Former WBC champ Bazooka Limón hospitalized in Mexico
By Gabriel F. Cordero, , Sun, 11 Jan 2026Zuffa Boxing set to unveil its maiden card on January 23 in Las Vegas
By Gabriel F. Cordero, , Sat, 10 Jan 2026‘I’ve got an army and army’s move in numbers’ Owen Corrigan returns for Light Heavyweight title Clash March 13 in Perth – Thunderdome 53
, Sat, 10 Jan 2026Pasalamat Festival Chess Tour 2026 to Push Through
By Marlon Bernardino, , Sat, 10 Jan 2026MANNY PACQUIAO PROMOTIONS & TURNING STONE RESORT CASINO PRESENT CHAMPIONSHIP BOXING SATURDAY, FEBRUARY 28 - VERONA, NY
, Sat, 10 Jan 2026ELIF TURHAN SIGNS NEW MULTI-FIGHT DEAL WITH MATCHROOM BOXING – FIRST IBF WORLD TITLE DEFENCE DATE SET FOR SATURDAY, JANUARY 31
, Sat, 10 Jan 2026Driving Philippine Tennis Forward: Jean Henri Lhuillier Champions the 2026 Cebuana Lhuillier Tennis Tour
By Marlon Bernardino, , Sat, 10 Jan 2026 |
|
|
|
|
|
