Fernando Martinez (L) lands a body shot on IBF super flyweight champion Jerwin Ancajas during a title fight at The Chelsea at The Cosmopolitan of Las Vegas on February 26, 2022 in Las Vegas, Nevada. Martinez took the title by unanimous decision. Steve Marcus/Getty Images/AFP
MANILA, Philippines—Jerwin Ancajas is ready to invoke his rematch clause and try to regain the IBF super flyweight title he lost to Argentinian Fernando Martinez Sunday (Manila time) at Cosmopolitan Las Vegas.
The loss ended Ancajas’ more than five-year reign with the strap as he suffered an unanimous decision defeat to the relentless Martinez.
“Yes, I’d like a rematch, and if we’re to fight once again I’ll do an even better job because I know Martinez is a great boxer,” said Ancajas in Filipino in the post-fight interview with Jim Gray.
“The next time we fight I’ll do everything I can to get back the title.”
Run it back?
Jerwin Ancajas says yes 👀#AncajasMartinez #ColbertGarcia pic.twitter.com/rJcVG6dDDa
— SHOWTIME Boxing (@ShowtimeBoxing) February 27, 2022
Ancajas and Martinez delivered an instant classic as both fighters combined for a total of 1,862 punches, 619 of which finding the target.
Martinez, however, was the clear aggressor landing a CompuBox super flyweight record of 421 total punches while Ancajas managed to land 192 of his.
Martinez's 421 landed power punches is a CompuBox Junior Bantamweight record. Martinez became the 47th fighter in CompuBox hostory to land 400 or more punches in a championship fight. Props to Ancajas, who landed nearly 200 punches while throwing over 800. #AncajasMartinez pic.twitter.com/MRD4RK1k4u
— CompuBox (@CompuBox) February 27, 2022
Ancajas admitted that he was surprised with Martinez’s aggression, a trope the Olympian never let go off as he poured in the punches from opening to closing bells.
“I saw the determination of Martinez, he showed me how a challenger should fight,” said Ancajas (33-2-2) who saw his 22-unbeaten streak snapped. “This decision loss taught me a lot.”