Philippines, 16 Mar 2026
  Home >> News

 


BOXERS

CURRENT CHAMPIONS 

FORMER CHAMPIONS   

RATINGS                       

NEWS           

FORUM        

FIGHT GALLERIES        

RING CARD GIRLS        


 
 
News  


Bornea next for Martinez?


PhilBoxing.com



Jade Bornea.

LOS ANGELES. Unbeaten Jade Bornea of Cotabato del Norte is next in line to challenge IBF superflyweight champion Fernando Martinez and MP Promotions head Sean Gibbons said yesterday he hopes to make it happen. Martinez wrested the IBF crown from Jerwin Ancajas last February and in his first defense last weekend, turned back the former champion in a rematch.

“The IBF actually ordered Martinez to fight Jade in a mandatory defense after winning the title but we paid $20,000 as an exception fee for the rematch with Jerwin to take place ahead,” said Gibbons. “I’m expecting anytime this week, the IBF will re-order the mandatory defense. I think Jade’s ready and let’s see if he has what it takes to bring down a tough guy like Martinez.”

Gibbons said Ancajas asked to exercise the rematch clause in his contract with Martinez. “Jerwin wanted a second chance and trained hard for it,” he added. “If Jerwin won, he would’ve moved on to fight (Kazuto) Ioka in a unification showdown in Tokyo on Dec. 31 with Eumir (Marcial) in the undercard. Jerwin was supposed to fight Ioka last February but it was cancelled because of travel restrictions. We had a signed contract and were already given our plane tickets which are good for a year. But that’s not happening now.”

Bornea, 27, boasts a 17-0 record, with 11 KOs and is coming off a third round stoppage of Mohammed Obbadi in Monterrey, Mexico, last January. He has fought twice outside of the Philippines with the first in Washington in outpointing Ernest Delgadillo in January 2020. Bornea is ranked No. 1 by the IBF in the 115-pound division. As an amateur, Bornea split wins with Uzbekistan’s Murodjon Akhmadeliev, now the super WBA/IBF superbantamweight champion.

Martinez, 31, is a buzzsaw with a record of 15-0, including eight KOs. The Argentine Olympian was a choice challenger when he dethroned Ancajas and has established a reputation as a punching machine like his promoter Marcos Maidana. Bornea trains here with coaches Ernel Fontanilla and Sugar Ting Ariosa. His manager is JC Manangquil of General Santos City’s Sanman Promotions.


Click here to view a list of other articles written by Joaquin Henson.


Recent PhilBoxing.com In-House articles:

  • United States Earns Four Gold Medals on Final Day of 2026 World Boxing Futures Cup
    , Mon, 16 Mar 2026
  • Mexico wins 2 bronze medals at World Boxing Futures Cup in Bangkok
    By Gabriel F. Cordero, , Mon, 16 Mar 2026
  • Arnold Barboza Jr. Shines in Welterweight Debut, Defeats Kenneth Sims Jr. to Claim Wbo Global Welterweight Title
    , Sun, 15 Mar 2026
  • WBC top contender Canoy returns to Davao with Unanimous Decision Victory
    , Sun, 15 Mar 2026
  • John Randall Peralta: The Future of the Philippine Chess
    By Marlon Bernardino, , Sun, 15 Mar 2026
  • Alvin “Felemon” Dologuin Claims Win in Brico Santig’s Show in Thailand (PHOTOS)
    , Sun, 15 Mar 2026
  • Donaire's Yokohama Showdown: Can our Filipino Flash Outshine the Rising Sun? (WEIGH-IN PHOTOS)
    By Carlos Costa, , Sun, 15 Mar 2026
  • USA Boxing Youth High Performance Team Wins Five of Eight Bouts on Day Six
    , Sun, 15 Mar 2026
  • Shai Gilgeous-Alexander surpasses Chamberlain's record of 127 consecutive NBA games with 20 points or more
    By Gabriel F. Cordero, , Sun, 15 Mar 2026
  • World-Ranked Light Heavyweight Najee Lopez Stops Mexican Terminator Manuel Gallego in Eight Classic Rounds in Main Event of ProBoxTV’s ‘The Contender Series’
    , Sat, 14 Mar 2026
  • Weigh-in from Highland Boxing in Bangkok, Thailand; Dologuin in Action (WEIGH-IN PHOTOS)
    , Sat, 14 Mar 2026
  • Oval rules 35th CityHeights slugfest
    By Lito delos Reyes, , Sat, 14 Mar 2026
  • Sims vs. Barboza and Dickens vs. Cacace Headline Doubleheader on DAZN
    By Chris Carlson, , Sat, 14 Mar 2026
  • Rubilen Amit sustains amazing run of victories at WPBA Pool in New York
    By Marlon Bernardino, , Sat, 14 Mar 2026
  • Weights Set in Anaheim: Barboza Jr. and Sims Jr. Ready for Welterweight War; Collazo Defends Titles
    , Sat, 14 Mar 2026
  • Rising Young Star Yoenis Tellez Takes on Top Contender Brian Mendoza in New Co-Main Event of PBC Pay-per-View Event Available on Prime Video Saturday, March 28
    , Sat, 14 Mar 2026
  • Five USA Boxers Qualify for Medal Rounds on Day Six of 2026 World Boxing Futures Cup
    , Sat, 14 Mar 2026
  • Rubilen Amit off to hot start in her WPBA debut
    By Marlon Bernardino, , Sat, 14 Mar 2026
  • Pavel Sosulin stops Victor Nagbe to remain unbeaten at IBA Pro 15 in Saint Petersburg
    , Fri, 13 Mar 2026
  • Nicaraguan Boxing Commission hold Annual Awards to 2025 winners
    By Gabriel F. Cordero, , Fri, 13 Mar 2026
  • BARBOZA JR. VS. SIMS JR. FINAL PRESS CONFERENCE QUOTES
    , Fri, 13 Mar 2026
  • Skye Nicolson Headlines Huge Matchroom Boxing Homecoming in Melbourne as New Kayo Sports TV Era Begins on April 29
    , Fri, 13 Mar 2026
  • Five Boxers Advance on Day Five of 2026 World Boxing Futures Cup
    , Fri, 13 Mar 2026
  • Canoy to fight Balidio on March 14 in Matanao
    By Lito delos Reyes, , Fri, 13 Mar 2026
  • Weights From ProBoxTV’s ‘Lopez vs. Gallegos’ at Osceola Heritage Park in Kissimmee, Florida, Tomorrow Night at 8 pm EDT
    , Fri, 13 Mar 2026




  •  



     
    PhilBoxing.com has been created to support every aspiring
    Filipino boxer and the Philippine boxing scene in general.
    Please send comments to feedback@philboxing.com


    PRIVATE POLICY | LEGAL DISCLAIMER
    developed and maintained by dong secuya
    © 2026 philboxing.com.