Giemel Magramo plays waiting game
HARD-PUNCHING prospect Giemel Magramo (24-1, 20 knockouts) may have to sit back and work on staying in shape as his shot at the vacant World Boxing Organization (WBO) flyweight (112 lbs.) has been derailed anew, a casualty of the coronavirus that has also thrown in disarray the world of sports.
Ranked No.1 by the WBO in the weight class, Magramo was originally scheduled to fight Japanese Junto Nakatani at the Korakuen Hall in Tokyo, Japan on April 4. The fighters had been tapped to contest the WBO flyweight title vacated in February by Japanese Kosei Tanaka. The unbeaten Nakatani, 20-0 with 15 knockouts, is ranked No. 3 by the WBO and fight fans were anticipating nothing less than an exciting slugfest between him and Magramo.
But, alas, the Magramo-Nakatani fight has since been reset four times, with no definite timetable this time. The original fight date was moved to June, then July 4 and most recently August 1. Early this week, however, it was announced that the August 1 fight date is off the table and a new schedule is being worked out.
The resurgence of the coronavirus in Japan is to blame. The infections have increased in the last week, prompting government officials to implement tight measures anew. Japan’s strict regulations include prohibiting the entries of foreigners and as such Magramo is barred from entering and working professionally in Japan until the pandemic is addressed.
Magramo, 25, hails from a family of boxers. Giemel’s father Melvin Magramo fought from 1990 to 2003 and was once crowned Orient Pacific Boxing Federation (OPBF) champion. Giemel’s uncle, Ronnie Magramo, boxed as a pro for 10 years (1989-1999) and once fought for the interim WBA minimumweight (105 lbs.) crown.
“Kayapoakonag- boxing dahil g us tokoitu lo yang pangarap ng ta tay koatmgatitoko,” Magramo told this writer .“Gusto ko dintu lara nan gm ga [ Pilipino na naging] world champion.”
Nicknamed “Pistolero,” Magramo has been a pro since 2012. He has lost only once, a decision to Pakistan’s Muhammad Waseem in November 2016. Magramo has since been on a roll, winning his last seven fights by knockout.
Magramo is a pressure fighter who knows how to work the body. The kid is the type of fighter who wears down his foes with punches in bunches, particularly debilitating body shots.
Nakatani, 22, turned pro in 2015 and earned his shot at the vacant crown with a sixth-round stoppage win over former world champion Milan Melindo in October 2019. The lanky and southpaw Nakatani is a boxer-puncher who owns a decent right jab and a devastating left hook.
Nakatani’s straight- up fighting stance, typical of tall fighters, makes him an intriguing foe for Magramo. Magramo tends to stick inside and throw wicked body shots. It will be interesting to see how Nakatani will handle Magramo’s body assaults.
As things stand, both Magramo and Nakatani are playing the waiting game. Magramo admitted to this writer that the repeated postponements have disrupted his training regimen, but he remains hopeful that the fight will push through.
“Magpa-kondisyon poulitng panibago,” said Magramo. “Pinataaskopo munangkauntiang weight ko.”
Magramo added a few pounds but looks to trim down to his ideal fighting weight the moment a definite schedule is announced. Make no mistake, Magramo remains true to his goal of becoming the country’s next world champion. “Gagawin assured the young “Pistolero.”