BOXING

Fajardo intensifies training

Nick Giongco · Nov 1, 2026, 4:47 AM

MIEL Fajardo (middle) gets quality work from sparring partners Roderick Bautista and CJ Villarosa less than three weeks before his shot at the IBF flyweight crown in Tokyo. — Photograph courtesy of Anthony Arieta

Miel Fajardo enters the most crucial phase of his buildup this coming week as the top Filipino flyweight gets ready to challenge for the International Boxing Federation (IBF) 112-pound championship on 26 November in Tokyo.

“The hardest stage of the training is happening this week,” matchmaker Anthony Arieta told DAILY TRIBUNE on Saturday.

Fajardo attempts to dethrone fellow power-puncher Masamichi Yabuki at the Ebara Wave Arena.

The 34-year-old Japanese, who has a 20-4-0 win-loss-draw record with 18 knockouts, will be making the third defense of the title.

Fajardo, eight years younger, has a 14-3-2 slate with 12 knockouts, including seven in the first round.

He earned a crack at Yabuki’s belt after knocking out Tobias Reyes in just 65 seconds in a remote town in Argentina last April.

Following his sensational victory, American dealmaker Sean Gibbons reached out to the IBF to guarantee that Fajardo’s win would lead to a world title opportunity given that his demolition of Tobias was a title elimination match.

Fajardo isn’t the only Filipino gunning for a world title.

His stablemate Zyvyr Medecilo faces Takeshi Ishii for the World Boxing Association minimumweight title in the main supporting bout.

Fajardo and Medecilo, alongside their respective trainers — Jericson and Ericxon Asilo — leave for Tokyo (Haneda) on 20 November. Also part of the group is matchmaker Anthony Arieta, who serves as Gibbons’ point man in the Philippines.

Lennon Tsoi of Hong Kong, who manages Fajardo and Medecilo, will head straight to Tokyo.