IBF taps Japanese ref for Fajardo title shot

The International Boxing Federation (IBF) has appointed a Japanese referee who will work the flyweight title clash between defending champion Masamichi Yabuki and Filipino mandatory challenger Miel Fajardo on 26 November in Tokyo.

Koji Tanaka, regarded as Japan’s top ring arbiter, will work the scheduled 12-round showdown at the Ebara Wave Arena.

The IBF also assigned Japanese Takeru Okaniwa, Australian Carl Zappia and Filipino Gil Co as the three judges.

The fight supervisor is Japan Boxing Commission secretary general Tsuyoshi Yasukochi.

Fajardo and his trainers — brothers Jericho and Ericxon Asilo — and matchmaker Anthony Arieta, are leaving for Japan on 20 November.

They will all be met at Haneda Airport Lennon Tsoi of Hong Kong, who will also serve as Fajardo’s cutman.

The event will also feature another world title fight starting a Japanese champion against a Filipino contender.

World Boxing Association minimumweight king Takeshi Ishii faces Zyvyr Medecillo in the main supporting bout.

Medecillo, a native of Koronadal, South Cotabato, also fights under the stable of Tso, who heads RCT Promotions.

Yabuki, who will be making the third defense of the IBF 112-pound title, is the solid betting favorite and a holder of a 20-4-0 win-loss-draw record with 18 knockouts.

But Fajardo, who boasts of one-punch knockout power, is somebody not to be taken for granted as he totes a 14-3-2 mark with 12 knockouts, including seven in the first round.