Fernando “Pumita” Martinez halts a game Jade Bornea in the 11th-round to retain the IBF super-flyweight crown
By Emmanuel Rivera, RRT
PhilBoxing.com
Mon, 26 Jun 2023
The searing left hooks from Fernando Daniel Martinez could have knocked out anybody last night at The Armory.
Martinez learned early on, though, that Jade Bornea was not just anybody despite successfully defending his IBF super-flyweight crown last night in Minneapolis, Minnesota.
The ‘Hurricane’ from Cotabato del Norte, by way of General Santos City, Philippines was much more than advertised— blood, guts and all.
In the 5th round, Bornea was stunned by a left from Martinez, but matched the Argentine blow-by-blow through 8 tight rounds, and appeared to gain momentum going into the 9th round.
After re-adjusting his game plan early into the 9th round, Martinez uncorked a well-timed left hook that split Bornea’s ear, blood squirting on the participants including the Showtime cameraman.
The site, smell and taste of claret excited the Argentine champion who peppered Bornea’s right ear forcing the stoppage after 29 seconds in the 11th round.
Referee Charlie Fitch waved off the match that resembled an R-rated, slasher flick.
"I saw the injury in the ear," Martinez expressed. "I hit it with my left and it popped. I just kept going at the ear and that's what ended this fight,“ Martinez said through an interpreter.
The ‘Pumita’ from South America notched his second defense of the IBF super-flyweight crown he lifted from Jerwin Ancajas 16 months ago.
On his first defense in October 2022, Martinez defended the belt to the same Pretty Boy Ancajas who won against Colombian Wilner Soto by 5th-round TKO last night.
Jade Bornea, the 28-year old aspirant from Cotabato del Norte, by way of General Santos City, Philippines, tasted his first loss and dropped to 18-1 (12 KO’s)
“The first seven rounds were even, then I had an injury to my ear,” said a disappointed Bornea. “I tried to keep fighting to the end.”
“My boxers and Sanman fighters are family. We win some, we lose some, but like Jade Bornea and Jerwin Ancajas we never surrender! Filipino Pride !,” a circumspect Sean Gibbons revealed to PhilBoxing.com today.
“Jade will be back and fight for a world title just like Jerwin. Ancajas lost 2 times to Martinez, but is now back and poised to fight for the WBA World Title,” the MP Promotions concurred with his son Brendan Gibbons who lead Viva Promotions.
Jhay Otamias, the veteran photographer and videographer of the #1 boxing website you are on and many Philippine broadsheets was at ringside and was witness to the talent and bravery of our countrymen Jerwin “Pretty Boy” Ancajas and Jade “Hurricane” Bornea.
“The future looks bright for Philippine boxing,” Mr. Otamias opined.
Note of acknowledgement and appreciation:
All photos and information are courtesy of MP Promotions, PBC and Showtime. Special thanks to Messrs. Robert “Bob” Lyons, MP Promotions President Sean Gibbons and Viva Promotions chief Brendan Gibbons for the photographs and kind ‘assist’. And to Sir Jhay Otamias, “Salamat, po!”
I am looking forward to the return of the courageous and talented Jade Bornea and Jerwin Ancajas’ second climb to the summit.
Click here to view a list of other articles written by Emmanuel Rivera, RRT.
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