FRESNO, CALIFORNIA – Jerwin Ancajas put on a dominant performance to claim a piece of boxing history on Saturday night (Friday, Manila time).
Ancajas retained his International Boxing Federation (IBF) super-flyweight crown as he proved too quick and too experienced for Jonas Sultan in the historic 12-round fight at the Save Mart Center here.
Two of the judges scored it identically at 119-109, while the other had it at 117-111, all for Ancajas, after the first-ever fight between two Filipino fighters with a world title at stake since 1925.
Pancho Villa also scored a similar unanimous decision win over Clever Sencio to retain his flyweight crown in the first all-Filipino world championship fight 93 years ago.
Other than its historic relevance, there was nothing really great about the fight.
Although sluggish for most of the bout, the 26-year-old Ancajas relied on his quickness and timely jabs to keep Sultan from getting into any form or rhythm.
Except for a big right he landed in the third round and two powerful lefts in the ninth, the challenger never stood a chance against the crafty champion, who made the fifth successful defense of his 115-pound belt.
If there was any consolation for Sultan, he ended the fight up on his feet and avoided becoming the latest knockout victim of Ancajas.
The champion from Panabo City, Davao del Norte said he didn’t hold his punches against Sultan. More than anything else, patience was the key.
“Hindi sa ayaw saktan, ayaw ko lang din magkumpiyansa,” said Ancajas, who improved to 30-1, with 20 KOs after winning the fifth defense of his title.
“Ang plano kasi namin magpatama muna ng jabs and straight,” disclosed Ancajas, who sported a minor lump just above his right eye due to an accidental head butt. “Sabi ni coach (Joven Jimenez), mag-pacing ka muna, huwag kang magmadali. Doon na tayo babanat sa late rounds. Andun talaga yung plano."
He did just that, engaging Sultan in several heavy exchanges in the last two rounds that served as the defining moment of the bout.
“Mahirap kalaban si Jonas, may pusong Pinoy talaga,” said Ancajas in praising the effort of Sultan.
The native of Tampilisan, Zamboanga del Norte fell to a 14-4 record with 9 KOs in his first attempt at a world championship.