Bombs away!

Miel Fajardo was in Hong Kong getting ready for his afternoon workout on Tuesday when Japan officially announced that he will be fighting for a world title on 26 November.

The advisory was simple and direct.

Masamichi Yabuki will be putting his International Boxing Federation (IBF) flyweight crown on the line against Fajardo at the EBARA WAVE Arena in Tokyo, the 4,000-capacity venue that is also home to the basketball squad Earthfriends Tokyo Z of the Japan B.League.

Fajardo knew about his crack at Yabuki’s IBF 112-pound throne beforehand, having signed the contract several weeks ago.

“Finally, it’s official,” Fajardo, 26, told DAILY TRIBUNE from the former British colony where he has been training the last two weeks to escape Metro Manila’s wild weather.

Fajardo earned the right to challenge Yabuki after becoming the IBF’s mandatory challenger last April when he knocked out Argentine Tobias Reyes in just one round.

The Filipino puncher’s manager, Lennon Tsoi of Hong Kong, said that Fajardo will return to the Philippines on 15 October for the final push of the buildup.

While in the Philippines, Fajardo will set up camp at the Elorde Sports Center in Sucat, Parañaque.

“As per the contract, Miel will travel to Japan a week before the fight,” said Tsoi, who is being assisted in his dealings with Ohashi Promotions, Yabuki’s official representative, by Anthony Arieta.

The Yabuki-Fajardo showdown promises to be explosive given their high knockout percentages.

Yabuki holds a 20-4-0 win-loss-draw card with 18 knockouts while Fajardo totes a 14-3-2 mark with 12 knockouts.

Some of his notable victims include Angel Ayala of Mexico, Sivenathi Nontshinga of South Africa and Thanongsak Simsri if Thailand, who is the reigning IBF light-flyweight champion.

Given Yabuki’s sterling credentials, Fajardo enters the ring as the underdog.

But Fajardo and his team are confident that the title will change hands.