If at first you don’t succeed, try, try, try again. In his third attempt at a world title, Joseph “JoJo” Diaz Jr. (31-1, 15 KOs) of South El Monte, Calif. achieved his lifelong dream of becoming a world champion by defeating Philadelphia’s Tevin Farmer (30-5-1, 6 KOs) via unanimous decision to capture the IBF Junior Lightweight World Title at the Meridian at Island Garden in Miami and streamed live on DAZN. Diaz won with scores of 116-112, 115-113 and 115-113.
(Photo Credit: Lester Silva-Hoganphotos/Golden Boy)
“In my previous opportunities, I needed to learn and deal with the adversity that I had been put through,” said Joseph Diaz Jr. “I wanted to be an influence and a person who shows everybody that as long as you believe in yourself, you can overcome everything, any adversity. Despite everything, I was disciplined and focused, and I got the win this time. Tevin Farmer is a hell of a fighter. No matter what you say about him. He’s been through everything. I respect him, and I thank him for giving me the opportunity.
“We are absolutely delighted that Joseph Diaz Jr. is now a world champion,” said Oscar De La Hoya, Chairman and CEO of Golden Boy. “Today is a very special day for us because Diaz Jr. is a young man who we signed about 8 years ago after participating in the 2012 Olympics, and now in his third opportunity he is a world champion. Golden Boy is getting stronger every day, and today’s a perfect example of that.”
Otha Jones III and Hurshidbek Normatov Gain Midweek Wins
Two members of the Split-T Management management stable, junior lightweight Otha Jones III and middleweight Hurshidbek Normatov scored big wins over the past five days.
Normatov got things started on Tuesday night when he gained a eight-round unanimous decision over Uriel Hernandez in Toronto.
Normatov resisted a knockdown in round seven en-route to the shutout victory by scores of 80-71.
The 27 year-old native of Brooklyn via Uzbekistan remained perfect as record jumped to 10-0. Hernandez falls to 13-6.
Thursday night in Miami, Jones stopped 35-fight veteran Juan Santiago in round two of their scheduled six-round bout.
Jones was dominating over the four-and-a-half minute fight, as he featured a strong right hand that continuously found a home on the head of Santiago. Midway through the 2nd round, Jones dropped Santiago with that punch, and the bout was stopped at 1:29.
The 19 year-old native of Toledo, Ohio, Jones, who was a 21-time National Amateur Champion, improves his mark to 6-0 with two knockouts.
Jade Bornea wins split decision over Ernesto Delgadillo to capture NABF super flyweight title
Hot Filipino prospect Jade “Hurricane” Bornea struck America last night and he delivered, winning a 10-round split decision over previously unbeaten Ernesto Delgadillo, to capture the vacant North American Boxing Federation (NABF) super flyweight title.
Bornea vs. Delgadillo headlined RJJ Boxing on UFC FIGHT PASS®®, the world’s leading digital subscription service for combat sports, live and exclusively from Legends Casino in Toppenish, Washington.
Fighting for the first time as a professional in the United States, the 24-year-old Bornea (15-0, 1o KOs) went into the fight rated No. 10 by the International Boxing Federation (IBF) and No. 15 by the World Boxing Association (WBA). He is a former IBF World Youth and World Boxing Oriental Youth super flyweight champion.
Last night on a show presented by Roy Jones Jr. (RJJ) Boxing Promotions, Bornea made a name for himself outside his native Philippines with an impressive victory against Delgadillo (11-1-2, 2 KOs), a former World Boxing Council (WBC) United States super flyweight titlist.
The 10-round main event was split into almost two different fights: Delgadillo effectively jabbed his way to take the early rounds, and he registered a somewhat questionable knockdown in the sixth round. Bornea successfully closed the distance after three rounds, sitting in the pocket and becoming more aggressive as the fight went on.
Bornea won a split decision (96-93 X 2 & 93-96) to become the new NABF super flyweight champion.
In the co-featured event, Northern Ireland middleweight Connor “The Kid” Coyle improved his record to 12-0 (5 KOs), needing only three minutes to take care of business. Coyle connected on a crisp combination at the end of round one, hurting his Mexican opponent, Miguel Dumas (11-3, 8 KOs). On the advice of the ringside physician, referee Joel Scobie halted the action after round one for a Coyle TKO win.
Irishman Connor Coyle improved his pro record to 12-0
In a battle of undefeated Northwest light heavyweights, Seattle’s Richard VanSicien (8-0, 4 KOs) scored a first-round stoppage of Abraham Martin (5-1, 5 KOs), of Oregon, when referee Jack Reiss waved off the fight after one round.
Washington super lightweight William Hernandez-Gomez (4-0, 2 KOs) pitched a shutout against Abdul Kamara (1-2), winning all four rounds in convincing fashion.
In a rematch of a draw, Washington super lightweight Margarito Hernandez (1-0-1) won a unanimous 4-round decision over intra-state rival Joshua Wheeler (0-1-1); Tacoma, WA featherweight Jerrell Barbour (1-0) won his professional debut with a 4-rround unanimous decision over Kendall Ward (0-6).
Florida middleweight Glenn Hagler, Jr. (4-1, 2 KOs) and Oregon’s Charon Spain (1-13-2) fought to a 4-round draw.
Official results below:
OFFICIAL RESULTS
MAIN EVENT – VACANT NABF SUPER FLYWEIGHT CHAMPIONSHIP
Jade Bornea (15-0, 10 KOs), General Santos City, Cota del Sur, Philippines
WDEC10 (96-93, 96-93, 93-96)
Ernesto Delgadillo (11-1-2, 2 KOs), Dallas, TX
(Bornea won NABF super flyweight title)
CO-FEATURE – MIDDLEWEIGHTS
Connor Coyle (12-0, 5 KOs), Derry, Northern Ireland, UK
WTKO1 (3:00)
Miguel Dumas (11-3, 8 KOs), Tijuana, Mexico
LIGHT HEAVYWEIGHTS
Richard VanSicien (8-0, 4 KOs), Seattle, WA
WTKO1 (3:00)
Abraham Martin (5-1, 5 KOs), Medford, OR by way of Mexico
MIDDLEWEIGHTS
Glenn Hagler, Jr. (4-1-1, 2 KOs), Daytona Beach, FL
D4 (39-37, 38-38, 37-39)
Charon Spain (1-13-2), Portland, OR
SUPER LIGHTWEIGHTS
Margarito Hernandez (1-0-1), Wapato, WA
WDEC4 (39-35, 39-35, 38-36).
Joshua Wheeler (0-1-1), Blaine, WA
William Hernandez-Gomez (4-0, 2 KOs), Burlen, WA
WDEC4 (40-35, 40-35, 40-35)
Abdul Kamada (1-2), Vancouver, WA by way of Sierra Leone
FEATHERWEIGHTS
Jerrell Barbour (1-0), Tacoma, WA
WDEC4 (40-36, 39-37, 39-37)
Kendall Ward (0-6), Colorado Springs, CO
*denotes streamed live on UFC FIGHT PASS
