International Boxing Federation (IBF) mandatory flyweight challenger Miel Fajardo admits he is longing for home.

Home is the municipality of San Francisco in Agusan del Sur where the iron-fisted fighter resides alongside his wife and kid.

But there is one thing that prevents Fajardo from packing his bags and leaving for home: an impending shot at the world championship.

That opportunity is happening soon.

How soon?

Within the year and not even in early 2027.

It’s going to be this year because the IBF has already ordered a fight between Fajardo and current champion Masamichi Yabuki of Japan.

Negotiations have commenced and a deal could be in place in a week or so depending on the talks involving Sean Gibbons and Yabuki’s new promotional team.

The world title showdown should take place in October or November on hostile ground.

“It doesn’t matter because Miel seems to enjoy fighting in his opponent’s backyard,” said the boxer’s Hong Kong promoter Lennon Tsoi.

Going after Yabuki’s IBF jewels in Japan isn’t even a cause for concern.

“Miel’s determined to win it not just for him but for his family,” quipped matchmaker Anthony Arieta, who assists Fajardo in his working relationship with American dealmaker Sean Gibbons.

Gibbons’ Viva Promotions is leading the negotiations for the title fight and Fajardo just can’t wait to make it happen, his people told me during a lengthy talk.

“He is willing to sacrifice everything because a world title fight doesn’t come often,” said Arieta.

These days, Fajardo trains in a makeshift gym somewhere in Pasay City.

It is cramped and not really an ideal place for a world title hopeful to be seen.

“But he loves that place,” added Arieta.

Still, Fajardo, who holds a 14-3-2 win-loss-draw card with 12 knockouts, is willing to make the supreme sacrifice by not seeing his family and training in unfamiliar territory.

“I understand the magnitude of this fight for the IBF crown. This is a fight that decides my future, the future of my family.”

Fajardo, who earned the status of mandatory challenger last April in Rosario, Argentina, where he scored a vicious first-round knockout of Tobias Reyes, swears he has to set aside personal needs.

“I miss my family and my son, who just turned one year old last June,” he said.

“I haven’t seen him since then. It’s been more than two months but this is something that has to be done. If I am not willing to sacrifice, then nothing’s going to come out of all this.”

You can tell that Fajardo is dead-serious in dethroning Yabuki.