MANILA – Jerwin Ancajas managed to keep his IBF super flyweight belt after settling for a split draw with Mexican Alejandro Santiago on Friday night at the Oracle Arena in Oakland, California (Saturday in Manila).
It was the sixth title defense of the Panabo, Davao del Norte native boxer but the hardest one – unlike his previous five where he knocked out four of his foes and beat fellow Filipino Jonas Sultan via decision.
On the other hand, Genesis Servania of Bacolod City knocked out Mexican opponent Carlos Carlson in the third round to boost his world championship bid in the undercard of the fight promoted by Top Rank.
Ancajas was in control in the first round with good jabs and hard punches. Both fighters were about on an equal footing in the second and third rounds, with Santiago landing some solid hits.
Santiago had his dominant rounds in fourth and fifth with his accurate orthodox punches. Ancajas regained his form in the sixth and seventh rounds by pounding on Santiago from a distance.
Both fighters went toe to toe in the eighth, ninth and 10th rounds with their exchange of combinations. Santiago took advantage of a tired Ancajas in the 11th with volume hits.
Ancajas, who suffered a swelling over his right eye from a headbutt in the 11th round, was pounded further by Santiago in the final round but the Filipino managed to keep distance to avoid a knockdown.
“My timing was a little off. (Barrios) was a little awkward,” Ancajas said after the match. “It was a good, entertaining fight. I feel like I pressed and did enough to take the victory.”
Ancajas’ boxing record improved to 30-1-2 (win-loss-draw), with 20 stoppage wins, while Santiago’s slate is now 16-2-5, including seven knockout victories.
In the other match, Servania – after a toe to toe battle in the first two rounds –knocked down Carlson with a huge right 44 seconds into the third round. The latter failed to beat the referee’s count – handing the win to the Bacolodnon slugger.
“Hindi naman ako nag-isip na ma-knock down ko siya. Focused lang kami sa game plan namin. Hindi ako nagkumpiyansa kasi malakas din iyong kalaban,” said Servania.
Servania, who is in line to challenge WBO junior featherweight champion Isaac Dogboe, improved his boxing slate to 32-1-0, with five stoppages, while Carlson suffered his fifth loss on top of 23 wins./PN
