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| Zyvyr Medecilo will join Miel Fajardo in Ota, Japan in a rare time two Filipinos will have world title shots on the same fight card. Ivan Saldajeno |
MAKATI—Make that two Philippines versus Japan world title fights happening next month.
RCT Promotions formally announced on Monday that Zyvyr Medecilo will fight Takeshi Ishii in a supporting bout ahead of Miel Fajardo's huge match against Masamichi Yabuki for the IBF flyweight title.
The Medecilo-Ishii showdown will be for the WBA minimumweight title, marking the first time since 2009 that two Filipinos will gun for world titles on the same fight card.
"I'm so excited that two of my fighters are fighting for the world title. We're really confident that we will bring home two belts to the Philippines," RCT Promotions CEO Lennon Tsoi said during the Philippine media launch of the world title doubleheader at New World Hotel here.
Ishii boasts a 12-1 record with nine knockouts, but that lone loss came at the hands of Filipino opponent Lito Dante in 2023.
Ishii came from a devastating knockout win against Wilfredo Mendez last month, in which the Ukiha native put the Puerto Rican opponent to sleep in just 65 seconds.
However, Medecilo saw something during the finish that he could bring to his favor.
"Ang kahinaan ni Ishii ay pag nilaro mo talaga si Ishii ay mawawala talaga sya sa laro nya," said Medecilo, who is up for his biggest bout yet after going 9-0 to start his career with five knockouts.
He added that he will put a more technical approach to the bout to frustrate Ishii's aggressive style of play.
A win would set Philippine boxing history for the 21-year-old Medecilo, a former Palarong Pambansa champ, as he could become the fastest Filipino to be crowned world pro champion, doing so in just his 10th bout.
Cebuano boxing legend Malcolm Tuñacao is the current record holder, winning the WBC flyweight title in just his 11th career professional bout.
The Medecilo-Ishii and Fajardo-Yabuki bouts will be the co-headliners of a seven-bout card on Nov. 26 at the Ebara Wave Arena in Ota, Japan.
Three other Philippines versus Japan duels will take place: Vencent Lacar battling Seiya Nakayama, Melchor Roda taking on Masanori Rikiishi, and Ronerick Ballesteros exchanging punches with Yuga Fujiki for the WBC youth lightweight title.
An all-Japanese showdown between Yoshiki Takei and Kenshin Oshima will open the fight card, while a 10-round women's atomweight clash between Madoka Wada and Watcharaporn Namphon will serve as the special attraction before the two world title bouts.
