Fajardo right on track for IBF title bid

Mandatory challenger Miel Fajardo continues his tough grind in Hong Kong as he prepares for a crack at a world title in Tokyo late next month.

The heavy-handed Filipino from Agusan del Sur has been in the former British crown colony the last three weeks whipping into fiery form against Masamichi Yabuki on 26 November at the Ebara Wave Arena.

Yabuki will be risking his International Boxing Federation (IBF) flyweight crown for the third time at the 4,000-seater venue located in Ota City.

“His training and roadwork have been amazing,” Lennon Tsoi, Fajardo’s Hong Kong manager, told DAILY TRIBUNE on Tuesday.

For Fajardo, the fight signifies one thing.

“Miel knows that it will be a tough fight and he is training extra hard to make sure he reaches peak form come fight night,” Tsoi said.

Fajardo, 26, enters the ring with a 14-3-2 win-loss-draw record with 12 knockouts, including seven in the first round.

Yabuki, eight years older, springs into action carrying a 20-4-0 mark with 18 knockouts.

Fajardo was forced to relocate to Hong Kong last month due to Metro Manila’s wild weather.

“In Hong Kong, he gets to do roadwork without having to worry about the rain,” said Tsoi, who also brought along one-time world title challenger Jayson Vayson to help in the sparring sessions.

With the habagat season over, Fajardo’s plan to return on 15 October looks timely as he will resume his preparations at the Elorde Sports Center in Parañaque until his departure for Tokyo on 20 November.

This early, oddsmakers have installed Yabuki as the betting favorite.