Martinez-Bornea, Ancajas-Soto Make Weight, Ready for Battle
By Carlos Costa
PhilBoxing.com
Sat, 24 Jun 2023
Unbeaten Pinoy challenger Jade "Hurricane" Bornea (18-0, 12 KO's) feels ready to collide hard against Argentina's IBF 115 world champion Fernando "Puma" Martinez (15-0, 8 KO's), the very same fighter who beat and dethroned "Pretty Boy" Jerwin Ancajas.
The show unfolds Saturday night (Sunday morning here in Asia) at the historic Minneapolis Armory, live on Showtime and on ESPN in Latin America and other regions.
The Martinez vs Bornea war presents itself as an intriguing clash of styles as the "Hurricane" from Gensan wages war coming forward, confident of his dangerous firepower, especially his lethal straight left, while "El Puma's" approach is fighting smart from a slick orthodox stance, displaying speed and slick moves.
It could be seen as an intriguing contrast of styles: The talented, devastating puncher against the quick technical boxer, and WHO will win?
Weigh-in. Earlier today, "El Puma" and The "Hurricane" stepped on the scale at The Minneapolis Armory event center in downtown Minneapolis, Minnesota, U.S.A., for the official weigh-in ceremony both men easily making weight (weigh-in video can be watched from SHOWTIME Sports' YouTube channel here: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=C-6e3odqyRs)
The Champion Fernando "Puma" Martinez from the Land of Leo Messi, came-in at 114½ lbs., while the challenger from the Land of Manny Pacquiao stepped-on perfect at the limit of the super flyweight division: 115 pounds. May the Best Man Win!
ANCAJAS VS SOTO: 8-ROUNDER NON-TITLE
In another thrilling fight for Saturday in Minneapolis, popular and pogi Davaoeño warrior and former champ Jerwin "Pretty Boy" Ancajas (33-3-2, 22 KO's) of Panabo, Davao del Norte, will climb-up the ring to trade bombs against unheralded and rather weak opponent Wilner Soto (22-12, 12 KO's) of Colombia.
It's a non-title, 8-chapter rumble in which Wilner Soto comes from losing all his last 6 fights, half of those loses by way of KO.
Weigh-in. The first warrior to get on the scale was the Colombian, making 120¾ pounds. Then, the southpaw 31-year-old "Pretty Boy" came-in at a career high of 121¾ pounds, the two men looking fit, ready for Showtime!
On paper, Jerwin is by far the superior, more-popular, more-experienced, more-skilled boxer, although in boxing all enemies are dangerous, right?
The battle marks Jerwin's return to action after losing his world title belt last year, his many loyal fans expecting a shining win from the smiling and polite Filipino, who is proud member of the Philippine Navy (PN). Good luck to both, May the Best Man Win!
The author of his is Carlos Costa of Panama is a veteran boxing writer living in Asia. Carlos can be reached at carlos@philboxing.com.
Click here to view a list of other articles written by Carlos Costa.
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