MANILA — Jerwin Ancajas did just enough to remain as the International Boxing Federation (IBF) junior featherweight champion, scoring a split draw against Alejandro Santiago at the Oracle Arena in Oakland on Saturday (Philippine time).
Although in a not-so-fashionable way, the Panabo, Davao del Norte native defended his belt for the sixth time, surviving a gritty stand from his Mexican foe who fought a 12-round affair for the first time in his career.
Ancajas had a solid start, tagging Santiago with power shots in the first three rounds.
Santiago, however, began picking up the pace in Round 4, and the fight became tight from there.
In the end, only one judge had Ancajas winning with a 116-112 scoreline.
Another judge had it 118-111 Santiago, while the third judge scored it 114-114.
Ancajas, who despite failing to win for the first time after 18 bouts stays undefeated in the said span, scored only his second career draw, his first since sharing the spoils with Ervin Yamo in 2010.
On the other hand, Santiago scored a draw for the fifth time in his career. (Ivan Stewart Saldajeno/PNA)