Two Filipinos. Two world titles. One night in Japan.
And now we know who's holding the clipboard.
The IBF has named the officials for Miel Fajardo's shot at Masamichi Yabuki on 26 November at the Ebara Wave Arena in Tokyo.
The referee ? Koji Tanaka — regarded as Japan's top ring official.
The judges ? One from Japan, one from Australia, one from the Philippines.
The supervisor ? The secretary general of the Japan Boxing Commission.
In Japan. Against a Japanese champion.
We're not saying a word. Just saying.
But here's the thing — Fajardo might not need anyone's help.
14-3-2. 12 KOs. SEVEN of them in the first round.
He earned this mandatory shot by taking out Argentina's Tobias Reyes in 65 seconds back in April.
Yabuki is no pushover — 20-4 with 18 KOs, making the third defence of his IBF flyweight belt, and the solid betting favourite.
On paper, it's the champion. But one-punch power is the great equaliser.
And that's only half the night.
In the co-feature, unbeaten Zyvyr Medecilo (9-0, 5 KOs) challenges WBA minimumweight champion Takeshi Ishii (12-1, 9 KOs).
Medecilo is the bigger underdog. The fight came together in a matter of days, while he was in Japan on a sparring contract.
Win, and he becomes the fastest Filipino ever to win a world title — in his 10th fight, beating Malcolm Tunacao's mark of 11.
Right now the Philippines has ONE reigning world champion — Pedro Taduran.
By the night of 26 November it could be three.
Hungry dogs fight harder.
And the message for both of them is simple — leave the judges out of it !!
🇵🇭 MIEL FAJARDO (14-3-2, 12 KOs) vs MASAMICHI YABUKI (20-4, 18 KOs) 🇯🇵
🥊 IBF Flyweight World Championship
🇵🇭 ZYVYR MEDECILO (9-0, 5 KOs) vs TAKESHI ISHII (12-1, 9 KOs) 🇯🇵
🥊 WBA Minimumweight World Championship
📅 Thursday 26 November 2026
📍 Ebara Wave Arena, Ota City, Tokyo
Stay tuned !
Sources:
Daily Tribune (12 Nov 2026) — https://tribune.net.ph/2026/11/11/ibf-taps-japanese-ref-for-fajardo-title-shot
Daily Tribune (11 Nov 2026) — https://tribune.net.ph/2026/11/10/fajardo-medecillo-step-on-brakes
Daily Tribune (13 Oct 2026) — https://tribune.net.ph/2026/10/13/tokyo-hosts-double-phl-vs-japan-world-title-fights
Philstar (19 Oct 2026) — https://www.philstar.com/campus/sports/2026/10/19/2564329/double-trouble-fajardo-medecilo-head-japan-rare-world-title-shots
Jino Rodrigo has been in outstanding form of late, exuding a brand of violence that is equal parts shock and awe, and no doubt his secret to it all :
TRAIN HARD - STAY BUSY !!
Jino has also taken his most recent fights in the United States on very short notice against top opposition, and this Sunday he continues on that path tackling his most formidable task yet !
Standing in his way will be World #1 amateur and recent Golden Boy signing Ruslan Abdullaev !!
Yes, you heard right.
Golden Boy.
They love to protect their new signings, and extremely LATE CALL UPS is one of their most common tricks to make sure an opponent is way below their best.
That said, Jino Rodrigo has stayed in shape since a very recent knockout performance in March, and he's more than grateful to get the fight with hot prospect Ruslan Abdullaev.
So here's how they line up :
Fight Night Alert: Ruslan Abdullaev vs. Jino Rodrigo – This Saturday on DAZN
All eyes turn to Oceanside, California this Saturday, April 19, as world number one amateur-turned-pro Ruslan Abdullaev steps into the ring for his second professional bout at Frontwave Arena — broadcast live worldwide on DAZN from 5 PM PT.
The 2024 Uzbekistan Olympian made waves in his pro debut under the Golden Boy Promotions banner, delivering a clinical second-round knockout against Jose Alvarado. Abdullaev’s speed, precision, and composure were on full display, making it clear: the amateur king is now hunting crowns in the pro ranks.
But standing in his way is Jino Rodrigo, a dangerous late replacement from the Philippines who’s far from just filling a slot.
Rodrigo has quietly built a reputation as a fight-finisher — winning 4 of his last 5 by stoppage.
His only recent loss came against red-hot contender Elvis Rodriguez, and even then, Rodrigo dropped Rodriguez early and had him reeling before losing a close decision.
He’s been staying sharp, and with nothing to lose, he’s coming to shock the boxing world.
The stage is set:
Date: Saturday, April 19
Time: 5 PM PT
Location: Frontwave Arena, Oceanside, CA
Live Stream: DAZN (Worldwide)
Joey Canoy meets Sam Minh Phat !!
JOEY CANOY (The Babyface)
Record: 23 Wins – 5 Losses – 2 Draws
Knockouts: 14 KOs (60.87% KO rate)
Ranking: #13 in the world / #4 in the Philippines
Career: 2012 – 2024
Age: 31
Stance: Southpaw
Height: 5′3″ (160 cm)
Residence/Birthplace: General Santos City, Philippines
Total Bouts: 32 (189 Rounds)
Recent Form (Last 5 Fights):
2024-12-27: Def. Ariston Aton (W-UD 8/8)
2024-08-30: Def. Jonathan Refugio (W-RTD 5/12)
2024-07-11: Def. Pablito Balidio (W-KO 1/8)
2023-07-12: Def. Clyde Azarcon (W-TKO 4/8)
2022-12-04: Def. Kenichi Horikawa (W-TKO 7/12)
Analysis:
Canoy is an experienced and battle-tested fighter, with over a decade in the sport and nearly 200 rounds under his belt. He has faced tougher opposition, including veterans like Kenichi Horikawa, and is riding a strong win streak. His southpaw stance adds a tactical dimension, often challenging for orthodox opponents. He blends power with durability, having only been stopped twice in 32 fights.
SAM MINH PHAT (Leopard Kim)
Record: 10 Wins – 5 Losses – 0 Draws
Knockouts: 8 KOs (80% KO rate)
Ranking: #67 in the world / #1 in Vietnam
Career: 2017 – 2025
Age: 30
Stance: Orthodox
Height: 5′3″ (160 cm)
Residence/Birthplace: Ho Chi Minh City, Vietnam
Total Bouts: 15 (67 Rounds)
Recent Form (Last 5 Fights):
2025-02-20: Def. Ne Lin Aung (W-TKO 2/6)
2023-07-15: Lost to DianXing Zhu (L-RTD 9/10)
2022-07-30: Def. Heri Purnomo (W-TKO 2/8)
2022-04-23: Def. Le Dieu Phuoc (W-TKO 5/6)
2021-10-23: Lost to ArAr Andales (L-TKO 7/12)
Analysis:
Sam Minh Phat is an explosive, aggressive puncher with a high KO ratio. Despite only 15 professional bouts, his fights tend to end early, showing that he thrives on fast starts and power shots. However, his losses to more seasoned opponents (like ArAr Andales) expose vulnerabilities in stamina and ring IQ against experienced fighters. He’s a rising star in Vietnam but hasn’t yet proven himself consistently at the international level.
Head-to-Head Outlook:
Joey Canoy holds the edge in experience, durability, and fight craft. While Sam Minh Phat boasts impressive KO power, he’s largely untested against world-ranked opposition, with the exception of Chinese #1 Zhu DianXing.
Canoy’s southpaw stance and savvy approach would likely neutralize Phat’s early pressure, wearing him down in later rounds. If the fight goes deep, Canoy becomes the clear favorite. If Phat can land big early, he is a huge chance to pull the win. If not, he’ll struggle to keep up with Canoy’s pace and discipline.
Great and intriguing fight !!
