Sports Eye
Unimpressive Ancajas
By Jesus A. Garcia Jr.
AVID boxing fans are familiar with the name Jerwin Ancajas, whose recent fight held in San Francisco, California last Sunday against the diminutive (5’2”) Mexican ring warrior Alejandro Santiago and who was lucky to escape with a controversial 12-round split draw to retain his International Boxing Federation (IBF) super flyweight crown. Well, as expected, the verdict was met by catcalls and jeers from the Mexican fans but cheers and applause from the Filipinos. The first judge scored it a shocking and overwhelming 118-110 for Santiago while the other judge marked it 116-112 for Ancajas. The third judge tallied it 114-114, draw. I scored the bout, 115-113, for Ancajas.
And I was happy to learn that the two Filipino TV annotators scored it nine rounds for Ancajas and only three for the stylish Mexican, or equivalent to 117-111 in ten-point scoring system. Yes, it’s the very opposite score of the first judge, 118-110, and that was hard to believe.
Some noted boxing specialists predicted an easy victory for Ancajas being taller with longer reach but they were proven wrong. Unlike his previous fights (except against compatriot Jonas Sultan), majority were won via knockouts. The southpaw (like Pacman) Ancajas was sluggish and his performance was not as impressive like his earlier fights to the dismay of his fans. Experts say Ancajas has a weak stance when fighting shorter opponents and I think they’re right. Remember, he suffered his only loss to diminutive fighter Mark Anthony Galledo on July, 2009 and earned a draw against Sultan before the Santiago showdown. Many say, Ancajas, carding 32 fights, 20 of them via stoppages, no loss with single draw prior to the Santiago showdown, had the makings of being the next Pacman especially after stopping the Mexican knockout artist Israel Gonzales in the 10th round of his fourth title defense held in Texas. But I guess he’s no Pacman after all.
“Hindi dapat na ikumpara ang abilidad ni Ancajas kay Paquiao dahil malayong magaling si Pacman kaysa kay Jerwin,” said boxing enthusiast and media colleague Jun Velasco. “Hindi pa ipinapanganak ang boksingerong Pilipino na kasing husay ni Pacman,” he added. “Si Jerwin ay mahusay lang sa one-two hard punching vicious combinations unlike Pacman na umaabot pa hanggang sa five straight combos at sobrang bilis ng kanyang dalawang kamay as well his footwork.” Velasco averred.
I have to agree with JunV. That’s my thoughts of him, too. The 26-year-old Panabo, Davao del Norte-born Ancajas, might pull off a lengthy reign as world champ in different divisions but his aptitude for boxing is not like Pacman’s. He was unimpressive last September 30 and almost lost his coveted tiara.
Despite the draw, an early rematch for the two prized fighters or a unification duel with WBC (World Boxing Council) titleholder Srisaket Sor Rungvisai of Thailand as earlier planned are unlikely to happen. Latest report says Ancajas is mandated to defend his crown against number one challenger Ryuichi Funai of Japan early next year. Let’s just wait and see.
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The National Amateur Basketball Referees Organization (NABRO) Pangasinan-Dagupan City chapter headed by its president Jon Cansino will hold a basketball clinic-seminar on October 13 at Dagupan’s Lyceum Northwestern University (LNU) gym, 8am-5pm. According to Cansino, new FIBA rules will be discussed and registration fees are P500 and P700 for newcomer and veteran, respectively. See you there.
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QUOTE OF THE WEEK: And Jesus Christ said, “These people draw near to Me with their mouth, and honor Me with their lips, but their heart is far from Me. MATTHEW 15: 8
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