Magramo leaves for Japan, faces Nakatani in world title tiff

After 5 postponements, the Giemel Magramo-Junto Nakatani collision for the vacant WBO flyweight crown is finally pushing through on November 6 at Korakuen Hall in Tokyo, Japan.

Team Magramo leaves the country on Thursday, October 22, to acclimatize and wind up training which spanned 8 months owing to fight cancellations brought about by the COVID-19 pandemic.

The 26-year-old Magramo braces for war as the 22-year-old Nakatani (20-0, 15 knockouts) is hailed as one of Japan’s brightest prospects along with Kosei Tanaka, who abandoned the 112-pound throne to move up to the super flyweight division

At 5-foot-4, Magramo will be giving away 3 1/2 inches to Tanaka, a southpaw whose stocks further rose when he stopped former two-division world Milan Melindo in 6 rounds in his last bout on October 5, 2019.

Tanaka also vanquished another Filipino, Philip Luis Cuerdo in 1 round on June 1, 2019, and countryman Naoka Mochizuki in 9 rounds to make it 3 straight knockouts for the year.

Of course, Magramo, a stalwart of the Elorde Boxing Stable, is an even meaner knockout artist having stopped his last 7 opponents after absorbing his lone loss to Pakistani Muhammad Waseem on November 27, 2016.

The Magramo-Nakatani title duel was supposed to be held on April 4, but got moved back to June 6, July 4, August 1, and August 26 before the Japan Boxing Commission decided on the current date.

According to Liza Elorde, who manages Magramo with husband Johnny, the resident of Parañaque City has the talent, desire, and heart to succeed against Nakatani.

Flying to Tokyo with Magramo are his father and chief trainer Melvin Magramo, assistant trainer Toto Laurente, Johnny Elorde, and son Juan Miguel. – Rappler.com