FISTS OF FURY
Fajardo sets OPBF title defense
Miel Fajardo packs so much power that it is a matter of time before he becomes the Philippines’ next world champion.
Armed with an 11-1-1 record with 10 knockouts, Fajardo gets the opportunity to boost his stock when he defends the Orient-Pacific Boxing Federation light-flyweight crown against fellow powerpuncher Thanongsak Simsri of Thailand in April in Osaka.
Just 24, Fajardo had won the OPBF 108-lb strap last August, needing less than a round to knock out John Paul Gabunilas in Cebu.
Gabunilas, a hot prospect like him, tasted the floor thrice before referee Tony Pesons called a halt to the scheduled 12-rounder.
Gabunilas was gone in 60 seconds after being decked by Fajardo’s thunderous overhand right in the first knockdown, a combo in the second and a perfectly-timed left hook for the third and final knockdown.
“He’s got a big chance of becoming a world title because of his power,” two-time world title challenger Edito “Ala” Villamor, told DAILY TRIBUNE from Cebu City on Thursday.
“He has to train hard all the time and put his weight in check,” Villamor added.
“He has power,” veteran matchmaker Art Monis said.
The world-ranked Fajardo will have his hands full when he makes the initial defense of the crown.
Simsri parades a 31-1 record with 30 knockouts. To rev up for the daunting task, Fajardo continues to train under Ericson Asilo at the C&E Lions Boxing Gym in Morayta, Manila.
If victorious against Simsri, Fajardo could be looking at a world title shot although his being a heavy-handed puncher could be his undoing.
Fajardo is being managed by Jose Monty Flores with Thailand-based matchmaker Brico Santig lending a hand in running the affairs of the Agusan del Sur native.