Except for a point deduction in the fifth round, Jerwin Ancajas of the Philippines had a trouble-free third defense of his IBF super flyweight (115 lbs) crown in Belfast, Ireland on Sunday.
Ancajas, 25, turned what had been predicted to be an exciting match into a punching picnic. Ironically, there was not a bit of candy sweetness behind the brutal, bloody stoppage.
Ancajas dished out poison, dropping gutsy Jamie Conlan with a phantom left shot around the midsection in the first round. Conlan got up and tried to fight on. He was floored again in the third, fourth and sixth round, before the referee finally waved off the one-sided contest.
The third successful title defense was the most dominant performance by Ancajas, since dethroning McJoe Arroyo of Puerto Rico in Taguig City last year.
With the startling victory before amazed Irish fans, handlers of the new Filipino boxing star swore Ancajas was now ready to move full-blast onto the world prizefight stage.
There was an initial plan to take the Ancajas act to the United States. At least three reigning world light flyweight champions—in the WBO, WBC and WBA—were next mentioned as possible Ancajas opponents.
Ancajas reportedly earned less than $1,000 in taking the IBF light flyweight crown from his favored Puerto Rican foe last year. His purse against the previously unbeaten Conlan was pegged at $80,000.
Ancajas, 28 wins, one loss, one draw with 19 KOs, is now listed as the main fighter of the Manny Pacquiao Promotions.
In fact, not a few experts have started saying Ancajas, a native of Panabo City in Davao del Norte who fights out of Cavite, has the makings of a new Pacquiao.
Meanwhile, one report yesterday said Ancajas could be ordered to make a mandatory defense of his IBF crown against compatriot Jonas Sultan of the ALA Stable, who moved up to No. 1 contender following an upset win over former world titlist Johnriel Casamero.
There are two other reigning Filipino world boxing champions, namely Donnie Nietes, IBF flyweight champion, and Milan Melindo, IBF light flyweight title-holder.