By Adrian Stewart Co

Davao del Norte native Jerwin Ancajas successfully defended his International Boxing Federation world super featherweight belt against Ryuichi Funai of Japan via seventh round stoppage yesterday at the Stockton Arena in Stockton, California in the United States.

The win marks his seventh title defense.

Funai was aggressive in the opening round, hitting Ancajas with right straights, but the Filipino fighter responded with shots to the Japanese boxer’s torso before rocking him with a right hook.

Ancajas continued to control the fight in the second and third rounds as he turned Funai into a standing target with his quick combinations and straights.

He continued to pummel Funai’s defense in the fourth round with volume punches before the Japanese fighter picked up in the fifth frame.

Ancajas, however, was quick to regroup in the sixth, when he staggered Funai with a wide left hand to the button, prompting ring doctors to end the match in the seventh.

With the victory, the 30-year-old Ancajas improved his record to a 31-1-2 win-loss-draw record, while also notching his 21st stoppage win./ASC, WDJ