Martinez beats Ancajas again, retains IBF title

0037 Fernando Martinez Vs Jerwin Ancajas
Photo: Esther Lin/SHOWTIME

By Miguel Maravilla at ringside

Argentina’s IBF junior bantamweight champion Fernando Martinez (15-0, 8 KO’s) and former world champion Jerwin Ancajas (33-3-2, 22 KO’s) of the Philippines met in a rematch going the distance to kick off the Showtime Championship Boxing telecast on Saturday night at the Dignity Health Sports Park in Carson, California. The two fighters came out swinging, going at each other in the opening round as this fight appeared to begin where it left off the last time. The aggressiveness from the Flipino appeared to get the better of Martinez as he was momentarily staggered in the second from an Ancajas counter but he continued to go at the Ancajas and fight on. Ancajas landed a low blow in the third as Martinez attacked but the referee did not catch it. Staying close and on top, Martinez pressed in the fourth as Ancajas boxed and countered, later in the round a vicious exchange from the two in closing the round.

Martinez appeared to have a cut on his left eye from a clash of heads, going into the fifth round as he continued to press the bouncy southpaw Ancajas. In the final seconds of the round, Ancajas connected with a solid counter as Martinez responded with his aggressive charging attack. It was close heading into the sixth, but the Argentinian Martinez closed the round strong connecting Ancajas with big punches. Coming out strong in the seventh, Martinez attacked and cornered Ancajas, a clash of heads opened a cut above Ancajas’ left eye but that did not keep the fighters from trading. The cut appeared to get bad for Ancajas as blood trickled down. Staying aggressive in the eighth, Martinez landed the big punches as Ancajas was limited and appeared tired.

Trading in the center in the ninth, Martinez punched away hard and attacked backing Ancajas to the ropes, the Filipino stayed composed and boxed, despite Martinez’s heavy onslaught. Another non-stop round in the tenth as Martinez and Ancajas traded away and connected. In the championship rounds, Martinez stayed on the attack and later slipped, drawing the Filipino contingency off their seats but the two fighters continued to trade. Ancajas urged Martinez to trade in the twelfth and final round, however things got a little rough as Martinez shoved Ancajas to the ropes, a few seconds later Martinez connected with a series of big punches as he continued to press on to the final bell

After twelve hard fought rounds, the judges scored the fight 119-109, 118-110, and 118-110 as Fernando Martinez retains his IBF title.

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  • If they fought ten times, Martinez would probably win all of them. Ancajas is really good, but Martinez is better. Martinez – Ioka or Franco would be just fine.

  • Ancajas could have used inside fighting skills from James Toney. Ancajas was extremely uncomfortable with inside fighting to offset some of Martinez’s aggression.

  • I am not gonna read the story. Could be interested but….. am already engaged in much.
    One: the duel-tri distracting A LOT!
    These two certainly ARE NOT in any-sort- of mega category as-yet.
    Leaving some fight wisdom here and close. —–Thank you—–
    =copy=
    Boxing modern hour is afoul.  Let’s take look/& see right now at THE SPORTS MAJOR sandtraps: (1) beyond a doubt. IBO. (2) the “duel-tri.” [Destroyer – right there – of History!]. (3) three can slip past us more easily. Very important matter too though. Tyson Fury was Lineal champ from 2015 date V. Wlad until WHEN (you say)? Certainly relinquished well prior to Wilder 1.   But… yeah… he made it happen and he defeated Deontay.  This “sandtrap” remains a sandtrap in its context.  SURE. He is again [until he retired. I am confused if Fury retired or not presently?] Lineal AND Organizational champions BUT… the announcement after Wilder II was wrong.  Fury wasn’t “….. and still the Lineal HVYwt. Champ.”   This context problem carries over to the “duel tri” as well. Once someone wins any duel-tri… for rest of their career must use CAUTION next to their name.  They are gonna start calling them “former world champions.”  And -that- we need to watch- out for. You could NOT pay me enough to go along with any of these SANDTRAPS.  Each of them are a pill and a ruin to the sport at its crossover.   This insight about the overgoverance (IBO) is a call on the male side only.  I don’t know enough to make the call on the female side.  But the duel-tri is both male and female side. Also – referes to “world” levels only.  Would be NO PROBLEM the IBO instituted National title matches and below.  However…. IF THAT WERE THE CASE… you must “reel in” their propaganda utterly. One last word. Isn’t EVEN BOXING. What is going on actually with Russia AND The Ukraine? Tell me if I have false info (please). The Ukraine faults on a old treaty? They were granted INDEPENDENCE w/understanding that they won’t associate with NATO and…. The Ukraine violates that?  Story I am told.  We don’t mess with RUSSIA.

  • “Turn off too” for BOXING modern is the tats trend.
    Somebody’s not gonna like comment like that and YOU do with your body what you will : ) NOT really my business. BUT….. tats trend sprung up “overnight” like weed. Never USED to bother me one iota persons wearing “tattoos” but THIS “in modern” is a fashion following. Is statement that isn”/ very smart.
    Anyway….. my two cents worth. THINK before you put anything permanent scaring on your body. Because just like the clothing you wear you gonna want to clean up. You “scared” for life you *stuck.
    Myself I don’t “hate” for it but it is mistake the wise DON’T CARE TO MAKE!
    Word to the wise. Very few audience here but I will always bring this message forward.

  • To the institution here. IF you guys read my copy item you see clearly on the cancer “duel-tri.” I notice now you give *attention to that in results.
    It destroys Fight history ISN’T GOOD.
    “Caution” all former duel tri holder for All time no joke.
    Needs to be eradicated.
    For the media to battle on this front 1) you ignore such fights except giving the Boxer his just due in the ratings yet we RED ink the name.
    “Pure results” give it and RED ink the name.
    Super champ is champ. DO NOT ‘note’ “super.” If a super hold doesn’t exist then the “Reg” is true champion. Again… don’t recognize designates.
    I world-wide BAN All duel tri players except the true champ with none notice par the *designate.
    Promoters need “force” closure on that cancer.
    We keep up this campaign then maybe just maybe only maybe the FIRST &major FOUR close that junk.
    Thank you for considering this option to improving Boxing.
    “duel-tri” and the IBO in it’s present day form both are “more of the same thing.” BUT…. DO NOT color distinguish anything “IBO.”
    Consult with me directly and thru the UWBCAFO-I.
    Male league wisdom here am uncertain WHAT they have on the Female side BOXING.
    FIRST &major FOUR are a brand at this point. WBC WBA IBF WBO. Stops there.
    UWBCAFO-I Est. March/2006 is a “second echelon” goverance board. Set up has been model only so far.
    Keep in mind that Organizations harm Boxing only at the top (world).
    My work is at the world levels. Boxing media leave OUT IBO recognitions. Simply do not “notice.” Boxers don’t hold don’t fight for RAT IBO.
    Past IBO “title” holders can’t help it someone so *startved for status recognition you will go there. But… I am following Boxing 50 years and longer so…I know.
    Count your high world rating as your status. Being a Top rated contender very valuable thing. Don’t lie and try say you won a world championship when it was a unneeded “additional” Organization above the “nail in the coffin” WBO last one permitted.
    Come-on! Where do we draw the line? You already know their are eight (8) ‘2e’ level shit houses out there.
    UWBCAFO-I keeps Ukraine in the Ukraine and AIN’T MESSING WITH RUSSIA’S !! : ) *i am beginning to think Biden may of really-really cheated on the Election.
    : )

  • wow, this guy is wild and just doesn’t stop throwing punches in bunches. Just when you think he is getting tired, he launches himself across the ring and starts throwing. He needs to shorten his list of people to thank though, looked like a small piece of paper but he read out half the Argentine population

  • Ancajas probably did not prepare very well..rare opportunity wasted..maybe he was thinking he is assured of a little prize even in defeat…but kudos to Martinez

  • Martinez is entertaining, I can’t help but worry he’s gonna run on to a punch like Pacquiao vs Marquez IV eventually. However, that in and out explosive style is fun to watch. I’ll be tuning into see him again.

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