By Ian S Palmer
Filipino IBF Jr. Bantamweight Champion Jerwin Ancajas defends his title for the sixth time this Friday, September 28th when he defends against Alejandro Barrios of Mexico. The 12-round bout from the Oracle Arena in Oakland can be seen in the U.S. On ESPN+. Ancajas’ last defence was a 12-round unanimous decision over fellow countryman Jonas Sultan back in May. Barrios last fought in March when he fought to a 10-round split decision draw with Jose Martinez for the WBO-NABO Super Flyweight Title.
Ancajas is a 26-year-old southpaw who enters the ring at 30-1-1 along with 20 Kos. He won the title via a unanimous decision over McJoe Arroyo in September, 2016. He’s also defended it against Jose Alfredo Rodriguez, Teiru Kinoshita, Jamie Conlan and Israel Gonzalez all by stoppage. The champ is 5-feet-6-inches tall with a 66.5-inch reach and has boxed 183 rounds since turning pro in 2009. Before that, he enjoyed a fine amateur career by going 90-5. He’s also won the WBO Asia Pacific Youth Super Flyweight Title, Philippines Luzon Professional Boxing Association Bantamweight Title and the IBF Pan Pacific Super Flyweight Title.
Ancajas is a skilled all-round boxer who carries plenty of power in his fists with a current knockout ratio of 63 per cent. He also has a solid chin and isn’t shy about letting his hands go. He doesn’t have a problem with fighting in the States since he’s 9-0 with 7 Kos while boxing outside of his homeland. He’s not perfect though as Ancajas was beaten via a 10-round majority decision by Mark Anthony Geraldo in March of 2012 and was held to a four-round technical draw by Ervin Yamo in May, 2010. That fight had to be stopped due to a cut eye suffered by Ancajas which was caused by an accidental headbutt.
Barrios is just 22 years old and climbs through the ropes with a mark of 16-2-4 including 7 Kos. He turned pro as a teenager back in 2013 and has fought 114 rounds since then. He’s not known as a very heavy hitter and his current knockout ratio is just 32 per cent. He has a pretty good chin though and hasn’t been stopped. Barrios’ two defeats came at the hands of Hector Gabriel Flores by way of six-round unanimous decision back in December, 2013 and to Johnny Michel Garcia by six-round split decision 11 months later.
The Mexican challenger has also been held to four draws in his pro career. These came against Flores in May of 2013, Antonio Nieves in August of 2016 for the WBO-NABO Bantamweight Title, with Jose Martinez in November of 2016 and against Martinez again in March. Other than Nieves and Martinez, Barrios hasn’t taken on anybody of note. In fact, just 10 of his 22 opponents up to now have had winning records. Barrios is just over 5-feet-2-inches tall with a 65.5-inch reach, which means he gives up 3.5 inches in height and a minimal inch reach advantage to Ancajas.
Prediction…
Ancajas is a fine boxer with good power while Barrios appears to be a decent prospect. However, it’s hard to fathom how he’s earned a title shot with his minimal experience. He’s definitely stepping up in class here and isn’t expected to win… and he won’t. I’m expecting Ancajas to successfully defend his title for the sixth time here.
Ancajas is too good for Sultan at this point.
