This is the main event of the other nationally broadcast Thursday night live boxing card on tap for tomorrow, largely overshadowed by the DAZN show (featuring Andrade vs. Keeler, Román vs. Akhmadaliev, Sims vs. Angulo, Farmer vs. Díaz, and Jake Paul's debut). This one is under the relatively small-fry (compared with Matchroom to be sure) RJJ Promotions banner, airing on UFC FightPass. The undercard is a big linty skid-marked wet blanket, but the main event is worth catching for those inclined to play the juggling game and either split their browser windows or toggle between tabs. Bornea is, after all, the man who dealt Murodjon Akhmadaliev (who the same night will be challenging Daniel Román in the diagonally opposite corner of the country; in the southern reaches of the Atlantic coast while Bornea sees action in the northern tip of the Pacific) his only stoppage defeat in the amateurs in their rematch. He is traveling for the first time outside the Philippines to compete here, in his biggest professional step up to date - against Mexican-Texan southpaw and former USNBC 115lb titlist "Pookie" Delgadillo (yes that's his real life nickname, per his social media. I know, I 'yikesed", too..) for the vacant NABF super fly championship. This belt isn't just a historical stepping-stone to a WBC ranking *Bornea is already IBF #7 and WBA #15); it has a damn respectable lineage by its own rights: Marco Antonio Barrera, Johnny Tapia, Danny Romero, Gerry Peñalosa, Nonito Donaire, José Salgado, and Aston Palicte. Depending on how things shake out with the overlap between the conflicting programs, I'm hoping to be able to lend this one at least one eye.
I can't find any videos of Bornea's last few outings (even on the Sanman Promotions and Powcast Sports pages on Facebook ) but here's some highlights: This content is protected Delgadillo vs. Nate Green: This content is protected
Interesting to watch the progression of the switch-hitter Bornea in that HL package. He fought lefty in his early pro career but has transitioned into more of an orthodox fighter over time. He used to convert back & forth within the same bout in the amateurs (like versus Akhmadaliev).
If this ends up conflicting with either the Demetrius Andrade or Jake Paul fight, I'm prioritizing this one for sure. Farmer vs. Díaz or Román vs. Akhmadaliev, though ..
@PIPO23, voting against the Pinoy here? Not a believer in Bornea, or see anything special in Delgadillo?
