Fernando Martinez ends Jerwin Ancajas' 6-year reign as IBF jr. bantam champ

Fernando Martinez lands a left to Jerwin Ancajas' right oblique. PBC

By Ivan Saldajeno

MANILA--Jerwin Ancajas' long reign as the IBF junior bantamweight champion came to an end on Sunday (Philippine Time) after Argentinian opponent Fernando Martinez put on a terrific display to take a unanimous decision win at The Cosmopolitan of Las Vegas Hotel.

Despite the height and reach advantage, Ancajas found himself at the receiving end of a flurry from Martinez, a member of the Argentinian boxing team to the 2016 Rio Olympics, for most of the match.

Ancajas put up one final push in the later rounds, unleashing some glimpses of the might that made him a world champion since 2016 early into Round 10.

However, Martinez kept his poise and eventually got the nod from all three judges.

Two of the jurors scored the bout 118-110 each, while another judge had it 117-111 for Martinez, who remains undefeated after 14 professional bouts.

On the other hand, Ancajas, now 33-2-2 in his career, saw his unbeaten streak snapped at 20 fights as he dropped a match for the first time since Mark Geraldo scored a majority decision win against him on March 17, 2012 in Lapu-Lapu. Ancajas tallied 19 wins and one draw during that 10-year stretch.

Final stats show that Martinez landed 427 total punches compared to just 192 from Ancajas. Martinez connected on 421 power punches, while Ancajas could only tag on 170 power shots.

Follow him on Twitter: @IvanSaldajeno