Philippines, 19 May 2024
  Home >> News

 


BOXERS

CURRENT CHAMPIONS 

FORMER CHAMPIONS   

RATINGS                       

NEWS           

FORUM        

FIGHT GALLERIES        

RING CARD GIRLS        


 
 
News  


Looking Strong! Fajardo, Gabunilas Make Weight in Mactan, Cebu


PhilBoxing.com





MACTAN, Cebu -- Miel Fajardo and John Paul Gabunilas appeard strong and on weight for one of 2023's most exciting fights in the Queen City of the South, Awesome Cebu!

World-ranked rising-stars John Paul Gabunilas and Miel Fajardo are all set to battle the vacant OBPF Light Flyweight Strap.

It is a rumble of skills and power between two young boxers with potential of becoming champions of the world.

One of them will advance in that awesome golden quest, that's for sure. But who of the two will be?

The hot twelve-rounder will unfold tomorrow, Tuesday August 15, at the Hoops Dome in Mactan, Cebu.

A former OBPF Youth Champ, as well as WBO Youth titlist, the 22-year-old John Paul "Angas ng Cebu" Gabunilas (10-1, 7 KO's) of Cebu's Barangay sees his clash against fellow world-ranked Fajardo as the most important war of his life, the one that cannot be lost.


Miel Fajardo (L) stepped in the scales at 107.9 lbs lbs while John Paul Gabunilas (R) came in at 106.9 lbs during Monday's weighin at Gaisano Mactan in Lapulapu City for their OPBF Flyweight title fight on Tuesday, Aug. 15 at the Lapulapu City Hoops Dome.

The Cebuano Golden Boy knows so well that a win would instantly elevate him to the roof in all levels, rocketing him way up in the world rankings.

Could the smiling Gabunilas, fleshing his muscles during today's weigh in, score the biggest win yet in his 4-year pro boxing career?

Or will it be visiting and popular "Silent Assassin" Miel Fajardo, born in San Francisco, Agusan del Sur, be the one to emerge victorious?

Fajardo has built confidence from his astonishing 10-second knockout win last December in Thailand, a record in the Land of Smiles.

That feat helps make the 23-year-old Miel Fajardo (10-1-2, 9 KO's) so conscious and confident that tomorrow's battle against the very active WBO world-ranked John Paul Gabunilas is the battle that he can win. The right battle at the right time.

On top of it all, the winner brings home the prestigious OPBF Belt together with a really high spot in the world-rankings, likely in the rankings of all four sanctioning bodies.

Absolutely yes, Fajardo vs Gabunilas has all the factors for the making of a super attractive and thrilling battle. Would it be similar to Saturday's Navarrete vs Valdez?

Miel Fajardo is currently in the world rankings as WBO #12, WBC #15, WBA #5 and IBF #7.

Gabunilas is WBO #12.

A defeat cannot be afforded!

Since turning pro nearly 7 years ago in a Highland Boxing event in Benguet, Fajardo wants this win here in Mactan. Will he get it?

Lets consider this:

Both are world-ranked boxers. Both are so young (Fajardo 23, Gabunillas 22). Both are orthodox fighters with fantastic speed and firepower in both hands.

Both are focused, confident and skilled. Both are well-trained by excellent coaches, both are hungry for glory and success.

Truly, the winner inches closer to a world title shot.

If you are a boxing fan in Cebu, this IS THE FIGHT for you, the one you cannot afford to miss.

Team Gabunilas is led by experienced coach Eldo Cortes, while Team Fajardo is headed by coach Monty Flores of the Lion's Gym in Manila.

Gabunilas' promotional company is Team ARQ Boxing, led by sports promoter Jason Arquisola, has full trust on his fighter as well, which is so important.

So, fans in Cebu: you better get ready to rumble!

Plus, this fight could very well end by way of KO. So much can happen in 12 rounds of action.


Robert Paradero (L) weighed in at 110.2 lbs while April Jay Abne came in at 112.3 lbs for their OPBF Silver Flyweight title fight.

In the co-feature former world title challenger Robert Paradero battles April Jay Abne for the vacant OPBF Silver Flyweight Title.

The 6-bout show, headlined by Gabunilas vs Fajardo, is destined to be one of the most thrilling and memorable events in Cebu for 2023.

May the Best Men Win!

The author, boxing writer Carlos Costa of Panama, can be reached at carlos@philboxing.com.


Click here to view a list of other articles written by Carlos Costa.


Recent PhilBoxing.com In-House articles:

  • Elorde named to WBC body
    By Joaquin Henson, , Sun, 19 May 2024
  • Indiana Bests New York, Forces Game 7 in East Semis
    By Teodoro Medina Reynoso, , Sat, 18 May 2024
  • Surigao Fianchetto Checkmates in Semi Finals at PCAP
    By Marlon Bernardino, , Sat, 18 May 2024
  • Fury vs. Usyk: The Big One Has Finally Arrived
    By Chris Carlson, , Sat, 18 May 2024
  • FM Arca remains on top in Vietnam Chess Tournament
    By Marlon Bernardino, , Sat, 18 May 2024
  • Weigh-In Results: Emanuel Navarrete vs. Denys Berinchyk & Giovani Santillan vs. Brian Norman Jr.
    , Sat, 18 May 2024
  • WEIGHTS FROM RIYADH: TYSON FURY - 262 LBS, OLEKSANDR USYK - 233.5 LBS
    , Sat, 18 May 2024
  • THE UNDEFEATED KNOCKOUT MACHINE WILLIAM “EL CAMARÓN” ZEPEDA TO FACE TOP CONTENDER GIOVANNI CABRERA ON SATURDAY, JULY 6
    , Sat, 18 May 2024
  • Asia Supremacy: Team Philippines Eyes Strong Showing Vs Team Chinese Taipei
    , Sat, 18 May 2024
  • THREE TITLE FIGHTS AND THREE UNDEFEATED BOXERS TRAINED BY ROY JONES JR. HEADLINE JUNE 28 BOXING CARD AT LEGENDS CASINO LIVE WORLDWIDE ON BLK PRIME
    , Sat, 18 May 2024
  • T-Wolves Mangle Denver 115-70, Force Game Seven in West Semis
    By Teodoro Medina Reynoso, , Fri, 17 May 2024
  • Press Conference Notes: Emanuel Navarrete Motivated to Claim Four-Division World Title Glory in San Diego
    , Fri, 17 May 2024
  • DON KING PROMOTIONS: “FISTS OF FURY” PRESS CONFERENCE QUOTES
    , Fri, 17 May 2024
  • Kevin Brown vs Idalberto Umara Headlines Boxlab Promotions Card in Orlando, FL, May 31
    , Fri, 17 May 2024
  • Press Conference: Fury & Usyk Set Serious Tone Two Days From Undisputed Showdown
    , Fri, 17 May 2024
  • Zanfer Wins Purse Bid for Apolinario-Ayala IBF Fight
    By Teodoro Medina Reynoso, , Fri, 17 May 2024
  • Noynay loses to Sasaki by TKO in Japan
    By Lito delos Reyes, , Fri, 17 May 2024
  • Boston Returns to East Finals; Dallas A Win Away for the West
    By Teodoro Medina Reynoso, , Thu, 16 May 2024
  • Arca Continues to Pursue Coveted IM Norm in Vietnam Chess Tournament
    By Marlon Bernardino, , Thu, 16 May 2024
  • Martin joins Pinoy invasion
    By Joaquin Henson, , Thu, 16 May 2024
  • Media Workout: Fury & Usyk T-3 Days From Making Heavyweight History
    , Thu, 16 May 2024
  • ESPN and Top Rank Present DAZN on ESPN+ PPV Event: Undisputed Heavyweight Title Showdown Tyson Fury vs. Oleksandr Usyk
    , Thu, 16 May 2024
  • FIERRO AND RIVERA LAND TITLE FIGHTS IN PUERTO RICO
    , Thu, 16 May 2024
  • Tayden Beltran vs Cesar Villarraga Headlines CBN Promotions June 22 Show
    , Thu, 16 May 2024
  • Puerto Rican National Champion Carlos De León Castro Signs with Boxlab Promotions
    , Thu, 16 May 2024




  •  



     
    PhilBoxing.com has been created to support every aspiring
    Filipino boxer and the Philippine boxing scene in general.
    Please send comments to feedback@philboxing.com


    PRIVATE POLICY | LEGAL DISCLAIMER
    developed and maintained by dong secuya
    © 2024 philboxing.com.