JERWIN ANCAJAS tries to get back his International Boxing Federation (IBF) super flyweight belt from Argentina’s Fernando Daniel Martinez on Saturday (Sunday in Manila) at the Dignity Sports Park in Carson City, California.
And who’ll be at ringside? Jade Bornea.
There are two reasons why Bornea should be watching the rematch live—first, he’ll be rooting for his countryman get back at the Argentinian and, second, sad to say but he’ll be on a scouting mission.
Bornea happens to be the mandatory challenger and whoever wins Sunday, he’ll be fighting for the world title.
“I’ll be there to support Jerwin [Ancajas] and I believe he will get his belt back,” the 27-year-old unbeaten super flyweight from General Santos City told BusinessMirror on Monday.
Bornea has an 18-0 record with 12 knockouts. He scored a seventh-round technical knockout win against Mexican Ivan Meneses last August 19 in a non-title bout at his victim’s hometown of Puebla in Mexico.
He became the mandatory challenger for the 115-pound belt when he beat Mohammad Obaddi of Morocco via third-round technical knockout also in Mexico last January 14.
Bornea’s promoter, JC Mananquil of Sanman Promotions, said that Ancajas is in the best of shape.
“I think he is in better condition today than the last time I saw him fight,” Mananquil said. “I expect a great fight.”
Ancajas yielded his IBF title to Martinez last February via unanimous decision in Las Vegas because of weight issues.
“But his weight’s definitely no longer an issue,” international matchmaker Sean Gibbons assured.