Fajardo shifts focus to pro career

Even now that he has turned professional, Mark Ashley Fajardo could still wear the national colors in important tournaments like next year’s Olympic qualifying tournaments.

This was the assurance made by Fajardo’s chief handler and promoter JC Mananquil, who told DAILY TRIBUNE on Tuesday that he is not ruling out a return to national team duties for his new prized acquisition.

“If it will not complicate, why not? But focus (right now) is his pro career,” added Mananquil, who also handles ex-world champions Melvin Jerusalem and Marlon Tapales.

Fajardo, 21, bronze medal winner in the 2025 Southeast Asian Games in Thailand, made short work of Ajay Bustamante over the weekend in his pro debut at welterweight in General Santos City.

A native of Talisay, Cebu, Fajardo is being lined up for his second pro bout in December before Mananquil starts sending him overseas to spar in China and even in Japan.

“Towards end of 2027, we will bring him to the US,” said Mananquil, noting the American market’s major role in building up somebody like Fajardo.

“We will build him up fast,” said Mananquil, adding that when he fights for the third time, it will be up against a foreign puncher.

Even Sean Gibbons, the well-connected American fight figure, was impressed by Fajardo’s power and skill set.

“I am excited. The guy’s a big puncher,” Gibbons said.