TOKYO – Jerwin Ancajas needs to do a deep, soul-searching to regain his confidence given the way he lost against Takuma Inoue of Japan in their WBA bantamweight title fight Saturday night before a jampacked Kukigikan Arena.
The former world champion was at a loss for his performance in the ring seeing his younger and less-experienced opponent control most of the 12-round match that ended with Ancajas getting knocked out in the ninth round courtesy of a body shot by the Japanese champion.
Ancajas, who has been into his 13th world title fight, admitted Inoue was the better fighter on that night.
“Dito sa laban na ito, parang naging bobo ako sa taas ng ring…nawala yung pagiging matalino ko sa taas ng ring. Ewan ko ba,” was the frank assessment of the soft-spoken former IBF super-flyweight champion inside his dressing room following the fight.
“Sa boxing career ko, yun ang pinaka-ayaw ko na ganung pangyayari, yung pinagla-laruan ka sa taas ng ring. Mas naging matured pa siya (Inoue) tingnan sa akin sa taas ng ring.”
Although the Filipino was the underdog heading to the fight, Ancajas was expected to impose his will and power against the 28-year-old Inoue, who was making the first defense of his 118 lbs. title.
But the Japanese, not known for his punching power, took the fight to Ancajas, was in command for most of the bout, and sent the Filipino down on both knees with 44 seconds left in round nine following a vicious right shot to the body.
It was the first career knockout loss for Ancajas surprisingly, against an opponent who only scored his fifth knockout win out of 20 fights.
“Na-timing talaga,” was how the native of Panabo, Davao del Norte described the knockout punch that sent him reeling to his fourth loss in 40 fights (with 23 KOs).
Ancajas, long-time trainer Joven Jimenez, and MP Promotions head Sean Gibbons will sit down together once the Filipino boxer’s entourage goes back home to Manila and talk about the next course of action on his career.
“Hanapin ko muna yung kumpiyansa ko. Nakakawala kasi ng kumpiyansa yung ganitong pagkatalo,” said Ancajas, who’s expecting a fifth baby this year.
“Yung morale ko ngayon ang baba talaga, nakakawalang kumpiyansa ba.”
Get more of the latest sports news & updates on SPIN.ph
NOTICE ON UNAUTHORIZED AND UNLAWFUL USE, PUBLICATION, AND/OR DISSEMINATION OF SPIN.PH CONTENT: Please be notified that any unauthorized and unlawful use, publication, and/or dissemination of Spin.ph’s content and/or materials is a direct violation of its legal and exclusive rights to the same, and shall be subject to appropriate legal action/s.
