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Looking Strong! Fajardo, Gabunilas Make Weight in Mactan, Cebu By Carlos Costa PhilBoxing.com Mon, 14 Aug 2023  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.  |
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