Can Jade shine like a gem?
By Joaquin Henson
PhilBoxing.com
Tue, 18 Oct 2022
Jade Bornea.
It won’t be long now before No. 1 contender Jade Bornea of Cotabato del Norte gets the chance to avenge Jerwin Ancajas’ twin losses to IBF superflyweight champion Fernando Martinez of Argentina as a ruling may be made soon by the governing body to order a mandatory defense early next year.
MP Promotions head Sean Gibbons disclosed that Bornea should’ve been Martinez’ first challenger but a $20,000 exception fee was paid for Ancajas to exercise the option for a rematch. Ancajas lost the IBF crown to Martinez last February and failed to regain the throne in a rematch last week. Bornea witnessed the rematch at the Dignity Health Sports Park in Carson City, Los Angeles county and said if given the opportunity, he’ll bring the title back to the Philippines.
“Jade fights like Manny Pacquiao,” said Gibbons. “He’s 27, younger than both Jerwin and Martinez. Jade has the power to back up Martinez who’s relentless like Marcos Maidana, his promoter. Styles make fights and Martinez has a style that Jerwin couldn’t figure out. I take the blame for matching them up. Martinez was a choice challenger when he took the title from Jerwin. As a volume guy, Martinez throws a lot of punches so the key is stop him in his tracks and Jade can do it.”
Bornea trains with coaches Ernel Fontanilla and Ting (Sugar) Ariosa in Los Angeles. “Jade can move like Sugar Ray Leonard and also box like Manny,” said Ariosa, the Philippine boxing coach at the 1984 Olympics. “Jade has the patience and focus to hit without getting hit like Floyd Mayweather. He works smartly every day, listening and learning from his coaches. We’re praying that the IBF orders Martinez to defend against Jade sooner than later. We’ll be ready.” Both Martinez and Bornea are unbeaten.
Ariosa explained that Bornea has the ability to frustrate a raging bull like Martinez. “The kind of pressure that Martinez brings is disturbed by making him miss, making him frustrated as he leads with a punch or counters after he gets hit then Jade will make him pay by countering his counters,” said Ariosa. “Jade is very good in striking long distance and he’s very strong in delivering body shots during in-fighting. When Jade is in top mental, physical and spiritual shape, he can make Martinez look like he doesn’t know how to fight.”
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