FORMER International Boxing Federation (IBF) super-flyweight champion Jerwin Ancajas scored an impressive second-round knockout of veteran Richie Mepranum to win the vacant Philippine Games and Amusements Board super-bantamweight belt last Saturday night, Jan. 25, 2025, at the Iligan City Public Plaza in Iligan City.
Ancajas sneaked in a right uppercut to the midsection that dropped Mepranum to the canvas on all fours. That was end for Mepranum as he failed to beat the refereeās 10-count and the fight was stopped at the 2:20 mark.
Ancajas won his second straight fight since losing to Takuma Inoue in a World Boxing Association (WBA) bantamweight title fight in Japan last year.
Ancajas improved to 36-4-2 with 23 knockouts, while Mepranum, a three-time world title challenger, dropped to 38-10-1 with 12 knockouts.
Ancajas is still in the running for another world title shot. He is currently rated No. 8 by the WBA No. 13 by the World Boxing Organization (WBO) as a bantamweight, No. 10 by the IBF, and No. 27 by the World Boxing Council (WBC) as a super bantamweight.
In the undercard, former world title challenger Samuel Salva (21-2, 14 KOs) bounced back from a loss with a second-round knockout of Eldin Guinahon (9-4, 8 KOs).
Jesse Espinas (23-7, 13 KOs) walked away with a split decision over Jerald Palcar (17-9-4, 10 KOs), while Maria Theresa Pinili (7-1, 2 KOs) outclassed Charimae Salvador (5-9, 2 KOs) by unanimous decision.
Marvin Esquierdo (18-4-1, 11 KOs) defeated Boyce Sultan (10-16-1, 5 KOs) and Daniel Cabudoy (3-0, 3 KOs) stopped Marjhun Tabamo (10-26-4, 2 KOs) in the fourth round.
Jesus Magdayo (3-0, 2 KOs) scored a second-round stoppage of Ruel Julian (4-10, 1 KO) and Neil Patrick Jimenez (1-0) won against Raymark Altabarino (0-3) by unanimous decision. / EKA