Jade "Hurricane" Bornea gets his chance not only to become a world champion but exact vengeance against the Argentine banger who put an end to Jerwin Ancajas' reign of terror in the International Boxing Federation super-flyweight division.
The Filipino fighter's title shot will come not later than 13 May, according to the IBF which awarded the rights to promote Bornea's crack at Fernando Martinez to TGB Promotions.
Bornea is being represented by TGB Promotions and his official representative Sean Gibbons is trying to seal a fight date and venue.
"I am working on it," Gibbons said yesterday from Los Angeles.
Under IBF rules, the champion — Martinez — gets 65 percent ($16,250) of the winning bid of $25,000 and Bornea, 35 percent ($8,750).
Martinez, parading a 15-0 win-loss record with eight knockouts, dethroned Ancajas almost a year ago and he repeated the victory with a clear-cut win last October, forcing his victim to go up in weight after years of difficulty making the division max of 115 lbs.
Bornea, holder of an 18-0 mark with 12 knockouts, solidified his hold on the mandatory challenger status when he stopped Ivan Meneses of Mexico last year.
Trained by former pro Ernel Fontanilla and longtime United States resident Ting Ariosa, who used to coach the Philippine national team in the 1980s, Bornea trains in Las Vegas.
He regularly spars with another ex-world champion in Marlon Tapales aside from getting quality time with Ancajas.
All three live together in a rented house in Sin City and they hold their sparring sessions at the Top Rank gym.
Martinez's showdown with Bornea will only be the second defense of the IBF crown.