Last-minute replacement Amparo vies for IBF crown in Japan today

Jerusalem guns for WBC version of 105-pound belt

Jake “El Bambino” Amparo of PMI Bohol Stable faces the biggest fight of his career as he challenges the undefeated Japanese defending champion Ginjiro Shigeoka for the International Boxing Federation (IBF) minimumweight crown today (Sunday, March 31) at the International Conference Hall in Nagoya, Japan.

It’s a match-up that has been agreed only five days ago.

The 26-year-old Amparo has been handed the big opportunity against Shigeoka after Amparo’s fellow countryman ArAr Andales pulled out of the championship bout due to weight issues.

“Bisan tuod late replacement ang atong boxer, isog nga gidawat niya ang hagit nga modula sa talagsaon nga chance nga makadula sa usa ka world title bout. Naghinaot ug nangayo kami sa inyong pag-ampo ug suporta,” said PMI Boxing head Atty. Floriezyl Echavez Podot.

It’s a golden chance that Amparo did not pass especially that he lost to former world champion Pedro Taduran by unanimous decision in their IBF title eliminator in his previous fight last December 28 at the Bohol Wisdom School (BWS) Gym in Tagbilaran City.

“Maningkamot ta atong makuha. I-apil ko sa inyong pag-ampo, unta suportahon ko ninyo,” Amparo said in a Facebook live by PMI matchmaker Edito “ALA” Villamor.

Amparo, who hails from Guindulman, Bohol, holds a 14-5-1 winloss-draw record with 3KOs, while the hard-punching Ginjiro carries a perfect 10-0 mark spiked with 8KOs.

A heavy underdog, Amparo can draw inspiration from his first Japan joust wherein he edged hometown favorite Goki Kobayashi by unanimous verdict to grab the WBO Asia Pacific belt on August 5, 2023 at the Central Gym in Kobe, Japan.

In the same card, Amparo’s compatriot Melvin “El Gringo” Jerusalem (21-3, 12KOs) of ZIP/ Sanman Gym will take on Japanese crown-holder Yudai Shigeoka (8-0, 5KOs) for the World Boxing Council (WBC) 105-pound crown.

The 30-year-old Jerusalem is eyeing to become a two-time world champion. He once held the WBO mini-flyweight title after scoring a second-round stoppage of Masataka Taniguchi but lost his throne after being knocked out by Oscar Collazo of Puerto Rico in the seventh round right in his first defense.