Philippines, 06 Aug 2025
  Home >> News

 


BOXERS

CURRENT CHAMPIONS 

FORMER CHAMPIONS   

RATINGS                       

NEWS           

FORUM        

FIGHT GALLERIES        

RING CARD GIRLS        


 
 
News  


Jade refused to quit


PhilBoxing.com




It’s a rare thing in pro boxing that a chunk of a fighter’s ear is nearly torn off from excessive pounding. In 2006, Argentinian Sebastian Lujan’s ear was badly cut by Mexico’s Antonio Margarito and lost by a 10th round TKO in Atlantic City. Four MMA gladiators also suffered major damage in their ears----James Thompson in 2008, Kazushi Sakuraba and Shigeyuki Uchiyama in 2010 and Leslie Smith in 2014. Of course, the list doesn’t include Evander Holyfield whose two ears were bitten by Mike Tyson in 1997.

Last Saturday, Cotabato del Norte’s Jade Bornea went down like Lujan as his right ear bled profusely from a one-inch cut on the inner rim above the lobe. Referee Charlie Fitch waved it off at 0:29 of the 11th round and awarded the TKO win to defending IBF superflyweight champion Fernando Martinez of Argentina at The Armory in Minneapolis. Bornea’s manager JC Manangquil of SanMan Boxing said the ear began to swell in the seventh frame then in the ninth, the balloon popped and blood spewed out from the ghastly wound. Fitch asked Bornea if he wanted to continue and the mandatory challenger refused to quit. But in the 11th, Fitch stepped in as Martinez mercilessly hammered the ear with overhand lefts and Bornea found no refuge.

“Martinez was like a shark with blood in the water,” said MP Promotions head Sean Gibbons. “You can’t predict something like that to happen but it happens. That’s boxing. Up to the seventh, it was close and I felt the championship rounds would decide the outcome one way or the other. Then, Jade’s ear blew up.” Manangquil said Bornea was on the way to heat up when fate intervened. “It was competitive until Jade’s ear got busted,” he said. “Jade’s the first boxer ever to back up Martinez. He’s only 28 with a long career ahead.”

Bornea moved to the US in July 2021, leaving behind his wife and two children, to focus on his pursuit of a world title. His wife arrived in the US last week for the fight. They’ll vacation before heading home. Former IBF superflyweight titlist Jerwin Ancajas, who lost twice to Martinez on points, predicted Bornea will be a world champion someday. Ancajas scored a fifth round TKO win over Colombian Wilner Soto in the Martinez-Bornea undercard.

From The Armory, Bornea was brought to the Hennepin County Medical Center where his right ear was stitched. Coach Ting Ariosa accompanied Bornea and his wife to the hospital. “We were there for 4 1/2 hours,” said Ariosa. “We got back to the hotel at 1 a.m. Jade lost a chunk of his right ear’s cartilage bone and his ear will be deformed permanently.” Los Angeles-based sports photographer Jhay Otamias, who took shots by the ring apron, spoke to Bornea who said his hearing isn’t impaired so that’s a consolation. At least five stitches sewed up the cut.

“I saw the injury in the ear,” said Martinez in Spanish. “The inflammation was like nothing I’ve ever seen before. I hit him with a left and it popped, exploded. I told the referee be cautious, I think he’s really hurt. That’s when I just kept going at the ear and trying to finish the fight.” It was the first loss in Bornea’s pro career. “The first seven rounds were even then I had the injury to my ear, it’s unfortunate but I tried to keep fighting ‘til the end,” said the courageous Filipino. Judges Mike Fitzgerald and Zachary Young scored it 67-66 for Martinez after seven rounds and judge Jerry Jakubco 68-65, also for Martinez. The Argentine swept the last three rounds until the stoppage.


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


Recent PhilBoxing.com In-House articles:

  • THRILLA IN MANILA GOLDEN ANNIVERSARY 11 - ALI GETS BACK HIS BOXING LICENSE, WINS OVER QUARRY, BONAVENA AND ELLIS
    By Maloney L. Samaco, , Tue, 05 Aug 2025
  • THE PAST WEEK IN ACTION 4 AUGUST 2025: Canizales Stops Pradabsri in Caracas; Duarte Outpoints Sims; Prograis Edges Diaz; Ancajas Wins in US Return
    By Eric Armit, , Tue, 05 Aug 2025
  • Round 12 with Mauricio Sulaimàn: Unforgettable Moments with the Champions
    By Mauricio Sulaimán, , Tue, 05 Aug 2025
  • IT’S A “HOMECOMING” FOR FIVE-TIME WORLD TITLE CHALLENGER MARICELA CORNEJO FRIDAY, AUGUST 8 AT LEGENDS CASINO
    , Tue, 05 Aug 2025
  • HERNANDEZ STOPS GARNETT IN TENTH ROUND IN MAIN EVENT OF CHRISTY MARTIN PROMOTIONS’ “MAYHEM IN MUSIC CITY 2”
    , Tue, 05 Aug 2025
  • YOELVIS GOMEZ READY TO SHINE IN RETURN BOUT AGAINST EDWINE HUMAINE JUNIOR
    , Tue, 05 Aug 2025
  • Team USA’s Youth High Performance Team made a major statement in Germany
    , Tue, 05 Aug 2025
  • Adam wins 2nd BBG 300 Ultra Marathon
    By Lito delos Reyes, , Tue, 05 Aug 2025
  • Legendary boxing trainer John Brown honored by Kansas City Royals
    , Tue, 05 Aug 2025
  • All or nothing for Jerwin
    By Joaquin Henson, , Mon, 04 Aug 2025
  • Triumphant Return: Jerwin Ancajas Defeats Casero in Los Angeles, Good Job!
    By Carlos Costa, , Mon, 04 Aug 2025
  • IM Concio Sweeps Kamatyas Open
    By Marlon Bernardino, , Mon, 04 Aug 2025
  • OSCAR "LA MIGRAÑA" DUARTE STUNS HOMETOWN FAVORITE KENNETH “BOSSMAN” SIMS JR. WITH MAJORITY DECISION VICTORY
    , Sun, 03 Aug 2025
  • JERWIN ANCAJAS DEFEATS RUBEN CASERO IN CALIFORNIA
    By Dong Secuya, , Sun, 03 Aug 2025
  • The Bout Outside The Ring: Boxing and the Filipino Struggle for Legitimacy
    By Emmanuel Rivera, RRT, , Sun, 03 Aug 2025
  • Filipino FIDE Master Roel Abelgas finishes second in Hongkong rapid chess
    By Marlon Bernardino, , Sun, 03 Aug 2025
  • Cañizales defeats Pradabsri and wins WBC title in Venezuela
    By Gabriel F. Cordero, , Sat, 02 Aug 2025
  • PH's Nouri snags blitz gold in Asian Amateur Chess Championship
    By Marlon Bernardino, , Sat, 02 Aug 2025
  • Round 12 with Mauricio Sulaimàn: The Boxer
    By Mauricio Sulaimán, , Sat, 02 Aug 2025
  • Duarte vs. Sims Jr. Title Eliminator Official: All Fighters Make Weight in Chicago
    , Sat, 02 Aug 2025
  • ALLEN v MAKHMUDOV, SUGAR NUNEZ IN MEXICO AND MORE AS MATCHROOM BOXING CONFIRMS HUGE AUTUMN LINE-UP – LIVE ON DAZN
    , Sat, 02 Aug 2025
  • Undaloc Jr. leads BBG 300 Ultra Marathon
    By Lito delos Reyes, , Sat, 02 Aug 2025
  • Round One: Dr. Bernard Remollino Brings Pancho Villa Back Into the Ring
    By Emmanuel Rivera, RRT, , Fri, 01 Aug 2025
  • Panya Pradabsri, Carlos Cañizales Make Weight for WBC 108 World Title Rematch in Venezuela
    By Carlos Costa, , Fri, 01 Aug 2025
  • “NOWHERE TO RUN” OSCAR “LA MIGRAÑA” DUARTE VS. KENNETH “BOSSMAN” SIMS FINAL PRESS CONFERENCE QUOTES
    , Fri, 01 Aug 2025




  •  



     
    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
    © 2025 philboxing.com.