After five postponements, Giemel Magramo will finally have a shot at the world championship as he faces Japanese Junto Nakatani at Korakuen Hall in Tokyo, Japan tonight.
At stake in the 12-round world championship bout is the World Boxing Organization (WBO) flyweight belt vacated by Japanese boxer Kosei Tanaka earlier this year.
Both boxers have shown their readiness for the match with the Filipino fighter tipping the scales at 111.5 pounds while Nakatani is much heavier at 111.7 pounds.
In an interview with Josef Ramos of Business Mirror, Magramo admitted anxiety as the match was postponed five times due to the coronavirus pandemic.
“I’m must not give him any chance or any opportunity. We really need to land first a solid one because he has all the advantages, or should I say he has it all,” Magramo said.
“I am studying his moves and style,” added the 26-year-old Paranaque City-native. “Since the judges are all Japanese, I guess a knockout victory is necessary to erase doubts.”
Johnny Elorde, Magramo’s manager, said he sees his boxer’s victory as he also trusts his Japanese counterpart, Akihiro Honda of Teikken Promotions, for a fair judgment.
“We told Giemel about this (three Japanese judges) and he’s not bothered at all,” said Elorde in a separate interview with Philboxing.com. “Mr. Honda assured us the Japanese judges will be very fair.”
Due to the Japanese isolation policy, neutral judges may not be accommodated, said Games and Amusements Board chairman Baham Mitra.
“Mr. (Tsuyoshi) Yasukochi mentioned that a foreigner should be separated for two weeks,” said Mitra, referring to the Japan Boxing Commission secretary general. “I replied that we will have no problem with that and if a foreign fighter can fight then a judge can surely isolate too and judge.”
Magramo will be entering the match with a 24-1-0 win-loss-draw ring record, including 20 stoppage wins. His last match was a three round stoppage win over Negrense Richard Claveras last year.
The 22-year-old Nakatani, on the other hand, has an unblemished 20-0-0 slate with 15 knockout wins. He is coming off a technical knockout win over former world champion Milan Melindo in 2019./PN
