Jerwin Ancajas vs Jonathan Rodriguez Preview April 10, 2021
Filipino IBF Jr. Bantamweight Champion Jerwin Ancajas defends his title for the ninth time this Saturday, April 10 when he takes on Jonathan Rodriguez of Mexico in Uncasville, Connecticut. The 12-round bout can be seen in the USA on Showtime while those in Canada can catch it on TSN 2. Ancajas last fought in December, 2019 when he stopped Miguel Gonzalez in the sixth round. Rodriguez’s last action came in December when he stopped Julian Yedras in the first round.
Ancajas vs Rodriguez Betting Odds
Here are the betting odds from online sportsbook BetOnline.ag (full review here).
- Jonathan Rodriguez +700
- Jerwin Ancajas -1100
My Pick
Ancajas is a 29-year-old southpaw who enters the ring at 32-1-2 with 22 Kos. He won the title via a unanimous decision over McJoe Arroyo in September, 2016. He’s defended it against Miguel Gonzalez, Jose Alfredo Rodriguez, Teiru Kinoshita, Jamie Conlan and Israel Gonzalez by stoppage as well as Jonas Sultan by unanimous decision and Alejandro Santiago Barrios via a split-decision draw. The champ is 5-feet-6-inches tall with a 66.5-inch reach and has boxed 207 rounds since turning pro in 2009. Before that, he enjoyed a fine amateur career by going 90-5.
Since turning pro, Ancajas has 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. He’s a skilled all-round boxer who carries enough power in his fists with a current knockout ratio of 62.9 per cent. He also has a solid chin and isn’t shy about letting his hands go.
Ancajas doesn’t have a problem with fighting in the States since he’s 10-0-1 with 8 Kos while boxing outside of his homeland. He’s not perfect though as he 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.
Rodriguez is a 25-year-old with a fine record of 22-1 with 16 Kos. He made his pro debut in 2015 and has boxed 125 rounds since. He also has pretty good power with a current knockout ratio of 69.6 per cent. However, most of his opponents have basically been relative unknowns and this will be his first fight outside of Mexico. Rodriguez’s lone loss came in March of 2018 when he dropped a a 10-round split decision to Jose Garcia.
We’re not going to be able to fully compare Rodriguez to Ancajas size-wise since the challenger’s height is 5-feet-5-inches but his reach is unlisted. But we know he’s an inch shorter than the champion. Since turning pro, Rodriguez has captured the WBC Fecombox Super Flyweight Title with a third-round stoppage of Alejandro Perez in September of 2018 and also won the interim version of the title a year earlier.
Prediction…
Ancajas is a fine boxer with good power but isn’t always as focused as he should be. He has a definite edge in experience against Rodriguez but still needs to be wary of the challenger’s power. Rodriguez is relatively unknown and could surprise a few people Saturday night, including Ancajas. However, I’m still expecting the champion to retain his belt.
I’ll give the champion Ancajas the edge.
Play: Ancajas -1100 @ BetOnline.ag
Check out my recent boxing betting picks to see my current form. Jerwin Ancajas betting • Jonathan Rodriguez betting