Ancajas admits ‘very low morale’ after knockout loss

Jerwin Ancajas leans on the ropes following a knockout loss to Takuma Inoue in their IBF super bantamweight fight in Tokyo, Japan.–CONTRIBUTED PHOTO/WENDELL ALINEA

MANILA, Philippines–Gracious in defeat, Jerwin Ancajas took his latest loss hard after getting stopped for the first time in his career.

Ancajas suffered a ninth-round knockout at the hands of Takuma Inoue, who retained the WBA bantamweight title, on Saturday at Ryogoku Kokugikan Arena in Tokyo, Japan.

“I have very low morale right now and I lost my confidence. It is what it is. I will leave it to the Lord what is next for my career,” said Ancajas in an interview with Boxing Scene.

“That was the first time in my career, even in sparring, that I ever went down from a body shot.”

Ancajas said part of the fight plan was to attack Inoue’s body but ended up having a taste of his own medicine.

“I was so focused on hitting the body, but it was me who got hit in the body,” said Ancajas (34-4-2, 23KOs). “After it hit, I lost air, and it was like my body broke down.”

The fight against Inoue, who is the younger brother of top pound-for-pound fighter Naoya, was a golden opportunity for Ancajas to show he’s still the champion that he once was.

Instead, the 32-year-old Ancajas has a lot to think about as far as his future is concerned.

“I only follow what sir Sean [Gibbons] and my coach plan for me,” said Ancajas.

Ancajas, who once had a five-year reign as the IBF super flyweight champion, has now dropped three of his last four bouts.

The Panabo Davao del Norte native’s downward spiral started after a pair of unanimous decision losses to Argentina’s Fernando Martinez in 2022.

He got back on track the following year by outclassing Colombian journeyman Wilner Soto to earn a world title shot.