CAN BORNEA DUPLICATE HIS AMATEUR SUCCESS IN THE PRO RANKS?
By Rene Bonsubre, Jr.
PhilBoxing.com
Sun, 26 Feb 2017
Jade Bornea.
GEN.SANTOS CITY – With only six fights in his two-year professional career, former amateur standout Jade Bornea faces his first test when he squares off against Raul Yu of the ALA Gym for the vacant IBF Youth super flyweight title.
The 21 year old Bornea started boxing when he was 11 years old and eventually garnered stints representing the Philippines at the Youth level.
He would win a bronze at the 2012 AIBA World Youth boxing championships and a couple of gold medals in Asian Youth tournaments.
But Bornea turned pro in October 11, 2014, winning by second round TKO against Alberto Muring in Davao City.
“It was always my dream to box as a professional,” Bornea told this writer after the official weigh-in held Saturday. “My favorite boxer is Manny Pacquiao. I like his fighting style. I want to fight like him.”
“I still need to improve. I only have a few fights,” Bornea said, “I am not thinking about fighting the big names yet. It will be up to my manager who I will fight next if I win on Sunday.”
During the finals of the 2013 Asian Youth championships held in Subic Bay, Philippines, Bornea beat a future two-division WBO world champion, Japanese Kosei Tanaka on points.
“ We fight in different weight divisions now, but maybe someday, if we are in the same weight class, we could face each other again.” Bornea said. Tanaka won his first world crown at 105 lbs in only five fights. Bornea (6-0,4KO’s) will be looking for his first breakout fight in his seventh pro outing when he goes up against Yu (9-1-2,8KO’s) at the Lagao Gymnasium on February 26.
During the official weigh-in, Bornea was at 113lbs while Yu weighed 112lbs.
Bornea will have the advantage of having the Gen.Santos City fans on his side. Together with twin brother Jake Bornea, they signed with Gensan-based Sanman Promotions last year. The Bornea brothers are managed by Alex Amoy of Amoy Boxing Stable.
Both Yu and Bornea will be going for their first major belt and a crack at the world rankings. For the past few years, local boxing pundits talked about the lack of real competition among Filipino prospects who have sidestepped each other. This fight will be an exception and could prove to be a real barnburner.
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