IT WILL be a clash of promising heavy-handed prospects when John Paul Gabunilas takes on Miel Fajardo for the vacant Oriental and Pacific Boxing Federation (OPBF) light flyweight strap in the main event of ARQ Promotions’ “Engkwentro 11 – Future Stars Collide” on Aug. 15, 2023 at the Hoops Dome in Lapu-Lapu City.
Gabunilas believes that he’s ready for the next level and a win over a world-ranked opponent like Fajardo should boost him up the rankings.
“I’m well prepared because we chose this opponent,” Fajardo said after yesterday’s weigh-in at the Mactan Island Convention Center.
“I won’t say that I’ll knock him out because he trained too well for this fight. We’ll just see on top of the ring what will happen. He should try and do this because I know that I’ll do my best.”
After being ranked as high as No. 27 by the World Boxing Council (WBC), the 22-year-old Gabunilas dropped a few spots and is now rated No. 32. He’s also ranked No. 14 by the World Boxing Organization (WBO).
Fajardo is currently the No. 11-ranked light flyweight by the WBC. He’s also rated No. 7 by the International Boxing Federation (IBF) and No. 15 by the WBO as a flyweight.
“This is a very important fight for me because if I win the OPBF belt, then I’ll be ranked higher by the WBC,” the 23-year-old Fajardo said. “It’ll be a possibility that I’ll be in a position to fight for a world title. This is a good fight. We have both trained well and he’s a talented fighter. I won’t take him lightly.”
Gabunilas won the WBO Asia-Pacific Youth light flyweight title following a sixth round technical knockout of Indonesian Wandi Priman Hulu in his last fight on March 24 in Talisay City.
In the meantime, Fajardo is coming off a 10-second first round knockout of Thai up-and-comer Sarawut Jiamthong last Dec. 28, 2022 in Thailand.
Gabunilas tipped the scales way below the light flyweight limit at 106.9 pounds, while Fajardo weighed-in at 107.9 pounds.
Gabunilas is 10-1 with seven knockouts, while Fajardo is 10-1-2 with nine knockouts.
Meanwhile, April Jay Abne (12-1, 6 KOs) defends his OPBF Silver flyweight strap against two-time world title challenger Robert Paradero (18-5-1, 12 KOs) in the co-main event.
In the undercard, Rodex Piala (8-0, 1 KO) is tested against tough veteran Jason Canoy (28-10-2, 19 KOs); Brix Piala (6-1, 2 KOs) locks horns with Alan Alberca (12-7, 7 KOs); Berland Robles (8-0, 3 KOs) trades leathers with Francis Jay Diaz (8-5-1, 1 KO); and BJ Wild (11-0-1, 6 KOs) slugs it out with former regional champion Ryan Rey Ponteras (23-20-3, 12 KOs). / EKA
