Sweet as honey

In Spanish, “miel” means honey. But IBF No. 1 flyweight contender Miel (Silent Assassin) Fajardo said his first name, given by his parents, is a play on the word “millennium” as he was born at the turn of the century on Jan. 1, 2000. When told about the Spanish translation, Fajardo just smiled. Like Sugar Ray Leonard and Sugar Ray Robinson, the heavy-handed Agusan del Sur warrior promised to do some sweet punching when he challenges IBF flyweight champion Masamichi Yabuki at the Ebara Wave Ota Arena in Tokyo on Nov. 26.

Fajardo was introduced to boxing at an early age. “Bata pa ako, mga two or three years old, at kalaro ko mga boxers kasi si Papa mahilig sa boxing,” he said. “Palagi nag-imbita si Papa ng boxers sa bahay.” Fajardo finished up to Grade 8 then quit school to box full-time. He applied to train at the MP Gym in Davao but was rejected then sent Facebook messages to trainer Erickson Asilo, begging for a chance to turn pro. Fajardo had little luck as an amateur and at the Palarong Pambansa, lost his only fight to Lorenz Dumam-ag. Still, he persisted until Asilo opened the window to display his wares. Asilo was impressed with Fajardo’s power, which he described as in-born, and brought him to Manila. Eventually, Asilo’s brother Jericho took over as his lead trainer.

Last year, Fajardo signed with RCT (Remain Committed To) Boxing Promotions whose CEO Lennon Tsoi was born and raised here, moved to Hong Kong when he was 12 then came back to start a pro boxing career. Tsoi, 29, compiled a 5-1 record and ended his career in 2019 due to the pandemic. Now, with his mother Rowena backing him up and unbeaten Hong Kong boxer Rex Tso as partner, Tsoi manages seven fighters, including five Filipinos, while operating a fitness gym near Causebay Bay.

Fajardo said he’ll give it his all to dethrone Yabuki for his wife Aleah Jane and their one-year-old son Keyshawn Dave. Tsoi, who will bring Fajardo’s wife to Tokyo for the fight, said he’s grateful to Sean Gibbons and Cucuy Elorde for their support. Fajardo and Zyvyr Medecilo, who faces WBA minimumweight king Takeshi Ishii on the undercard, will leave for Tokyo with their coaches on Nov. 20. At the moment, they’re training at the Elorde Gym on Sucat. For a month up to last week, Fajardo worked out in Hong Kong to avoid Manila’s climate distractions, sparring with Tso who mimicked Yabuki’s style in the ring. “Malakas, masakit,” said Tso, referring to Fajardo’s power and how his punches felt. Tso, 39, is ranked No. 15 by IBF in the bantamweight division with a 24-0-1 record, including 15 KOs, and his last three bouts were in Manila.

Fajardo has a 14-3-2 record, with 12 KOs, seven in the first round compared to Yabuki’s 20-4, with 18 KOs. Matchmaker Anthony Arrieta said he’s confident Fajardo will bring home the belt. “Miel has a big chance and is one of our biggest punchers today,” he said. “It’s his dream to face Yabuki who’s a two-time WBC lightflyweight champion and now the world’s best flyweight.”