MANILA – Filipino boxer Jade Bornea is set for a huge test. He battles Mohammed Obaddi in a world boxing championship eliminator match on Friday night (Saturday in the Philippines) in Mexico.
It will be a crucial match for Bornea. A victory will give him a chance to challenge International Boxing Federation (IBF) super flyweight champion and fellow Filipino Jerwin Ancajas.
Bornea, a mainstay of the famed Sanman Boxing Stable, said he is more than ready to face Obaddi.
“I am not eager to fight a fellow Filipino in Ancajas but when boxing leaves no choice for me then I will face whoever is placed in front of me,” the General Santos City native said.
“Right now my eyes are fixed on Obaddi. I have to beat him decisively to ensure bigger fights in the future, including against Ancajas,” the Filipino fighter added.
Sanman Boxing Promotions’ Jim Claude Manangquil, meanwhile, said he has high hopes on Bornea, who have beaten several notable boxers in his career.
“Jade has always been an underrated boxer ever since his amateur days. Not many fans were aware that he has beaten current IBF/WBA junior featherweight titlist Murodjon Akhmadaliev and multi-division champion Kosei Tanaka,” Manangquil said.
“Now he has the chance to show the boxing world what he is made of and I believe that he has what it takes to be a world champion boxer someday,” he added.
Bornea will enter the match with a clean 16-0-0 win-loss-draw ring record, with 10 of his triumphs by stoppages. Obaddi has 22-1-0 slate, including 13 knockout wins.
“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,” Bornea said./PN
