MANILA – Jerwin Ancajas easily outclassed Japanese Ryuichi Funai to retain his IBF world super featherweight championship with a seventh round stoppage on Sunday at the Stockton Arena in Stockton, California.
It was the seventh successful title defense of the Panabo City, Davao del Norte native to the world title he won over Puerto Rican McJoe Arroyo in 2016.
The victory was also a huge morale boost to the career of Ancajas following his two subpar title defenses against fellow Filipino Jonas Sultan and Mexican Alejandro Santiago.
Funai was aggressive at the opening round hitting Ancajas with right straights but the Filipino responded with shots to the Japanese’s torso before rocking him with a right hook.
Ancajas continued to control the match in the second and third round as he turned Funai to a standing target with his quick combinations and straights.
Ancajas pummelled Funai’s defense further in the fourth round with volume punches before the Japanese got his better round of the game in the fifth frame.
But Ancajas was quick to regroup in the sixth when he staggered Funai with a wide left hand to the button prompting the ring doctors to end the match in the seventh.
With the victory, the 30-year-old Ancajas improved his record to 31-1-2 win-loss-draw, while also notching his 21st stoppage win. Funai saw his record dropped to 31-8-0, with 24 KO wins./PN
