SINCE his days in the amateur youth level, Jade Bornea has always stood out.
He was a bronze medal winner in the 2012 World Youth Championships and owns wins over three-division world champion Kosei Tanaka and current International Boxing Federation (IBF) and World Boxing Association (WBA) super bantamweight Murodjon Akhmadaliev in the amateur level.
However, Bornea has yet to make a mark in the pro ranks.
That could change today, Jan. 15, 2022 (PH time), as the 26-year-old unbeaten prospect guns for the mandatory spot against IBF No. ranked Mohammed Obbadi in an IBF super flyweight title eliminator at the Auditorio Jacales in Monterrey, Mexico.
“I have worked so hard in the gym since my amateur career. This is my chance of a lifetime. I can’t afford to let it slip away. I will represent my country in Mexico and will come home with the win,” said Bornea.
Bornea, who recently signed with Probellum, became one of the most promising prospects in the Philippines after winning his first 14 fights, beating the likes of Danrick Sumabong, Raul Yu and Salatiel Amit.
He finally proved that he’s ready for the big stage after defeating previously unbeaten Ernesto Delgadillo by split decision to win the NABF super flyweight belt in his US debut.
“It will be a good fight,” Sanman Promotions chief executive officer JC Manangquil told SunStar Cebu. “But Jade is in the best condition of his life. He trained hard for months in Los Angeles. So I’m confident that he will win impressively tomorrow.”
Though little is known of Obbadi, who has fought all of his fights in Europe, he still is the stiffest test of Bornea’s career.
Obbadi is a 23-fight veteran and fought but lost to former world champion Cristofer Rosales via a seventh round stoppage in World Boxing Council (WBC) International super flyweight fight in Italy in 2017.
Following his only career defeat, the 28-year-old Italy-based Morrocan won nine straight fights.
“Obbadi is a good boxer. He has good footwork and fast hands, but Team Bornea already has a gameplan, so we’ll see,” said Manangquil.
Bornea tipped the scales at 114.5 pounds, while Obbadi weighed-in at 113.8 pounds.
Bornea is 16-0 with 10 knockouts, while Obbadi is 22-1 with 14 knockouts.
The winner of the fight becomes the mandatory challenger of IBF super flyweight champion Jerwin Ancajas, who is set to defend his belt against Fernando Martinez in February.
Bornea, however, isn’t thinking of a possible all-Filipino world title fight with Ancajas. He isn’t looking past Obbadi because he knows he isn’t a walk in the park.
“For now, we are focused on the fight tomorrow. It’s not an easy fight,” said Manangquil.