Filipino boxers Fajardo, Medecilo eye historic double world title in Japan

MANILA — Filipino boxers Miel Fajardo and Zyvyr “Blitz Kid” Medecilo are looking to bring back two world titles when they take on Japanese opponents in the “Double World Title: A Shot at History” card on November 26 at the Ebara Wave Arena in Tokyo, Japan.

Fajardo, the International Boxing Federation’s (IBF) No. 1-ranked flyweight contender and mandatory challenger, will challenge reigning champion Masamichi Yabuki for the IBF Flyweight World Championship.

Meanwhile, Medecilo will face newly crowned champion Takeshi Ishii for the World Boxing Association (WBA) Minimumweight World Championship, with a victory potentially making him the fastest Filipino boxer to win a world title in just 10 professional fights. 

He would surpass the record of former world champion Malcolm Tuñacao, who captured his first world title in 11 fights.

During a press conference on Monday, both fighters expressed confidence in their preparations while acknowledging the challenges of facing Japanese opponents on their home court.

Fajardo, who spent a month training in Hong Kong, said he and his team have been studying Yabuki’s fighting style, particularly his counterpunching ability.

“Magaling siya sa counter, kaya yung inano lang talaga namin yung tibayan, tibayan lang talaga. Tsaka mas habaan pa namin yung training namin para kung matamaan man, makakayanan ko yung suntok niya,” he said.

Medecilo, meanwhile, said his training camp has focused on maintaining his conditioning, improving his sparring and sticking to a technical approach against Ishii.

“Yung sa sparring namin dun sa Japan, nakita kasi nila na fighter ako kasi pag-sparring ko dun pina-fighter ako ng coach eh hindi naman yung galaw ko ang fighter. Eh teknikal naman ako na boksingero, alis-suntok-alis,” he said.

He also shared advice from fellow Filipino boxer Lito Dante, who previously defeated Ishii.

“Ang sabi niya sa’kin ‘wag daw ako sasabay kay Takeshi Ishii kasi may lakas daw. Dapat ang style ko gawin ko lang daw ano, suntok-alis, huwag talaga didikit,” Medecilo said.

Meanwhile, both frontrunners acknowledged that adjusting to Japan’s colder climate would be one of the challenges, but vowed to claim the title.

“Ang mahirap dun kasi… sa klima pa lang… advantage na sya sa klima. Tapos kami mag-a-adapt pa, sila adapt na nila yung klima,” Medecilo said. “Ang gagawin lang talaga namin, mag-ensayo dito nang maayos tsaka kukunin talaga namin yung belt.”

“Una yung makapag-adjust kami sa klima doon kasi alam namin na malamig doon e,” Fajardo said.

“Pero pagdating naman sa dayo-dayo, ako sanay na rin kaya ang gagawin lang namin yung ginagawa namin sa ensayo,” he added.

RCT Boxing Promotions CEO Lennon Tsoi expressed confidence in both fighters, saying the team is determined to bring home two world championship belts to the Philippines.

“We’re really confident, the team is really confident that we will bring home two belts to the Philippines… We will do the best in the preparations,” Tsoi said.