Fajardo lands in HK for 30-day camp

International Boxing Federation (IBF) mandatory flyweight challenger Miel Fajardo has landed in Hong Kong where he will spend the next 30 days preparing for his shot at defending champion Masamichi Yabuki on 26 November in Japan.

Fajardo was joined in the trip on Wednesday morning via Hong Kong Express by trainer Jericho Asilo and sparmate, one-time world title challenger, Jayson Vayson.

Welcoming them at HK International Airport was Fajardo’s chief handler Lennon Tsoi, who has arranged a 30-day training camp near Causeway Bay.

Tsoi was forced to relocate the 26-year-old Fajardo owing to Metro Manila’s unpredictable weather conditions.

“The last few weeks, it’s been difficult for Miel to boost his strength and conditioning program,” Anthony Arieta, Tsoi’s wingman, told DAILY TRIBUNE.

Fajardo earned his crack at Yabuki’s crown last April when he knocked out Argentine Tobias Reyes in just one round in front of a highly-partisan crowd.

A native of San Francisco in Agusan del Sur, Fajardo parades a 14-3-2 win-loss-draw record with 12 knockouts, including seven in the first round.

After his HK buildup, Fajardo will set up camp at the Elorde Sports Center where three new sparring partners will alternately bang bodies with him.

Yabuki’s new promoter Ohashi Promotions, which also has pound-for-pound king Naoya “Monster” Inoue under its wings, will stage the world title bout.

Fajardo’s world title opportunity was arranged by American dealmaker Sean Gibbons, who has solid ties with Japan’s top promotional outfits.