February 25, 2024
Source: Boxing Scene
Photo Source: Boxing Scene
Jerwin Ancajas is aware of the shortcomings that saw the former IBF super flyweight champion fail in his attempt to become a two-weight world champion in his bantamweight title challenge against Takuma Inoue.
Ancajas (34-4-2, 23 KOs) was stopped in the ninth-round in Japan by Inoue (19-1, 5 KOs), who claimed only the fifth early win of his career in a successful first defense of his WBA title.
Ancajas, a renowned body puncher, said he was punished for not defending his body and being reckless with his punches.
“I was so focused on hitting the body, but it was me who got hit in the body,” Ancajas said, alongside Sean Gibbons and through a translator inside his locker room.
The Filipino admitted it was the only time he had been dropped via a bodyshot in the ring under the lights or even in sparring.
“That was the first time in my career, even in sparring, that I ever went down from a body shot,” he confessed. “The timing was right in the middle because I was open with my wild punches.
“After it hit, I lost air, and it was like my body broke down.”
The former IBF super flyweight champion conceded that despite his best efforts, he had not taken his gym form into the ring on Saturday.
“It got me thinking [why I was getting hit so easily], I lost my skills in the ring, but it is all there when I spar. It is like I get dumb inside the ring. I do not know what is happening,” Ancajas added.
The defeat has taken a toll on the loser’s confidence, and he refused to contemplate what was on the horizon following the defeat in Tokyo.
He said he would leave that to long-time advisor Gibbons.
“I only follow what sir Sean [Gibbons] and my coach plan for me,” said a visibly upset Ancajas. “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.”
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