Fajardo intensifies Hong Kong camp

Miel Fajardo’s remaining days in Hong Kong will be devoted to making sure his strength training remains on point as he returns to the Philippines for the second half and most crucial phase of his buildup for next month’s world title fight in Japan.

The Filipino knockout artist is expected to arrive in Manila on Thursday and relocate to the Elorde Sports Center until he and his team leave for Tokyo a week before the 26 November date with Japanese jawcracker Masamichi Yabuki, the defending International Boxing Federation flyweight champion.

The scheduled 12-rounder takes place at the Ebara Wave Arena, a 4,000-seater venue in Ota City with Yabuki making the third defense of the IBF 112-pound title.

“He’s right on target,” Fajardo’s chief handler Lennon Tsoi, a Hong Kong native, told DAILY TRIBUNE, from the former British crown colony.

Fajardo, the mandatory challenger, had to set up camp in Hong Kong owing to Manila’s freaky weather last month.

Now that the monsoon season is over, Fajardo can now get quality training on local soil.

But in Hong Kong, Tsoi gave Fajardo what he needed for training, including a place where he could ramp up his stamina.

Already laid out for Fajardo is the Elorde Sports Center in Sucat, Paranaque, where he will have his most important sparring sessions.

Fajardo earned the status of mandatory challenger last April when he knocked out Tobias Reyes of Argentina in just one round.

Yabuki, 34, will enter the ring with a 20-4 -0 win-loss-draw record with 18 knockouts while Fajardo, 26, will carry a 14-3-2 slate with 12 knockouts.