Shot at stardom

The International Boxing Federation (IBF) has instructed the camp of defending flyweight champion Masamichi Yabuki and mandatory challenger Miel Fajardo to start negotiations.

The official order dated 27 July 2026 likewise advised both parties have until 23 August to reach an agreement.

In the event the camps don’t come to terms, a purse bidding will commence.

The notice by the IBF has been forwarded to Koki Kameda, who owns and runs Kameda Promotions, since Yabuchi is said to be under contract with him.

But there are reports that say that Yabuki has gone separate ways with Kameda and that he is on his way to signing a new deal with Teiken Promotions of Akihiko Honda.

Sean Gibbons of Viva Promotions, who has Fajardo under its wings, told DAILY TRIBUNE that he has to “speak with Mr. Honda to see what’s happening.”

Fajardo became the mandatory challenger after knocking out Tobias Reyes of Argentina in just 65 seconds last April in the town of Galvez in Santa Fe Province.

It’s going to be an explosive showdown if Yabuki ends up defending against Fajardo given their high knockout percentages.

The 34-year-old Japanese totes a 20-4-0 win-loss-draw card with 18 knockouts.

He is a three-time world champion in two weight classes and holds impressive stoppage wins over reigning IBF light-fly king Thanongsak Simsri of Thailand, Felix Alvarado of Nicaragua and Angel Ayala of Mexico.

Fajardo, younger by seven years, packs a 14-3-2 mark with 12 knockouts, including seven in the first round.

Currently, Fajardo is training in Metro Manila waiting for the go-signal to uproot his camp for the Elorde Sports Center in Parañaque.

His day-to-day activities are being monitored by his solid training team, including Anthony Arieta, who is Gibbons’ point man in the country.

The title challenge is expected to take place in Japan in October or November.