Lone Pinoy boxer on Pacquiao card KOs Tanzanian foe

MACAU — Reigning IBF Pan Pacific super flyweight champion Jerwin 'Pretty Boy' Ancajas, the lone Filipino pug who saw action on the undercard of the blockbuster Manny Pacquiao-Chris Algieri showdown yesterday here at the sprawling Cotai Arena of The Venetian, kept his winning streak via stoppage courtesy of a one-punch knockout of Tanzanian Fadhili Majiha in round three.

The 22-year-old Ancajas was clearly dominant from the start of the scheduled eight-round bantamweight duel, landing solid hits to the head and body at the same time putting up a porous defensive wall that limited Majiha to a few counter-punches in the first two rounds.

The pride of Panabo City, Davao del Norte further pressed on the attack until he sneaked in a crushing left straight to the head that sent Mahija flat on his back, gasping for breath. The hapless Tanzanian failed to get up at the count of 10, prompting Thai referee Prinit Prayadsab to wave off the bout at 1:48 of the third round.

Ancajas, who snared the IBF Pan Pacific belt with a stunning first round KO of Petchwanchai Sor Visetkit last May 3 at the University of Southeastern Philippines gym in Davao City, now holds a 22-1-1 win-loss-draw record packed with 14KOs. Mahija fell to 15-6-4 (7KOs).

It was Ancajas' seventh straight knockout victory, with the previous one also by first round TKO of Rochmand Santoso just three months ago at the Almendras gym in Davao. In his Cotai Arena debut last February 22, he also made an impression when he stopped Thai Inthanon Sitchamuang in only two rounds. —EBV (FREEMAN)