FOR Miel “Silent Assassin” Fajardo, his first shot at world title means a lot more than the money that comes with it.
The top-rated Filipino flyweight contender made it clear that his priority is to become a world champion as he prepares for a potential showdown with reigning IBF flyweight king Masamichi Yabuki of Japan.
Fajardo was asked during his media workout whether he is chasing the world title opportunity itself or the financial reward that comes with fighting for a championship.
His answer was straightforward.
“Para sa akin, iyung maging world champion talaga kasi ’yan po ang pinapangarap ng isang boksingero,” said Fajardo in an exclusive interview with DWAR 1494 Abante Radyo Sports Now.
The 26-year-old Agusan del Sur native is now one step away from fulfilling that dream after the IBF formally ordered Yabuki to make a mandatory title defense fight against him.
But Fajardo’s motivation goes beyond his own ambition.
Training at the same gym as reigning IBF minimumweight champion Pedro Taduran, Fajardo knows he has the opportunity to join Taduran as another Filipino world champion.
When asked if he wants to follow Taduran’s footsteps and add another world title to the Philippines, Fajardo again made his objective clear.
“Para sa akin, gusto ko maging world champion. Gagawin ko na lang po iyung best ko. Ano man ang ibigay sa akin ngayon, magiging world champion ako. ’Yan lang po.”
Fajardo is already preparing despite the fight still being in the negotiation stage.
The IBF has given both camps until August 23 to reach an agreement, with the fight being targeted for October or November. If no deal is reached, the bout will proceed to a purse bid.
Yabuki, meanwhile, owns a 20-4 record and is riding a six-fight winning streak, making the potential title challenge a major test for Fajardo.
The Filipino contender, who owns a 14-3-2 record with 12 knockouts, is coming off a 64-second stoppage of Argentine Tobias Reyes that helped earn him the mandatory fight.
For now, Fajardo’s focus is not on the payday.
It is on the belt.
With Pedro Taduran currently standing as the Philippines’ lone reigning world boxing champion, Fajardo is chasing an opportunity to make that number two and fulfill the dream every boxer works toward. (Jesus Nathaniel Valdez)
