Reigning IBF super flyweight champion Fernando Martinez of Argentina retained his belt by winning via 11th round TKO over gritty challenger Jade Bornea of the Philippines at The Armory in Minneapolis Saturday night (Sunday in Manila) broadcast live on Showtime promoted by Premier Boxing Champions.
The fight was very close up to the 8th round when neither fighter was clearly winning the war of attrition where each fighter had their moments at every round with the defending champion Martinez scoring on the inside while Bornea nicely connecting at the distance with his 1-2s and counters.
Martinez, who upped the tempo beginning in the 8th round, connected with a lethal left cross to the right ear of Bornea in the 9th round that busted and ruptured it causing blood to squirt, momentarily halting Bornea in his tracks. Referee Charlie Fitch asked Bornea if he wants to continue and the warrior from General Santos City gamely went ahead. Sensing that his opponent's back is against the wall, Martinez went on with his vaunted smothering attack that had Bornea in the survival mode in the succeeding rounds.
Martinez, who won his belt from former long time champion Jerwin Ancajas, continued his attack without letup, specifically trying to inflict more pain on Bornea's injured ear until Referee Charlie Fitch halted the fight at 2:29 of the 11th round.
Martinez improved his undefeated record to 16-0, 9KOs while Bornea absorbed his first loss and dropped to 18-1-0, 12KOs.
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