
Honda assures fair judges
By Joaquin Henson
PhilBoxing.com
Thu, 22 Oct 2020
Magramo (C) with Liza (L) and Johnny Elorde (R).
Three Japanese judges will be named to work the much-awaited fight between No. 1 contender Giemel Magramo of the Johnny Elorde stable and No. 2 Junto Nakatani for the vacant WBO flyweight crown at the Korakuen Hall in Tokyo on Nov. 6 with promoter Akihiko Honda guaranteeing fairness in the scorecards if it goes the 12-round distance.
Magramo, his father/head trainer Melvin, assistant trainer Toto Laurente, Elorde and Mig Elorde were issued Japanese visas last Tuesday. They’re scheduled to leave on Thursday Oct. 22. Upon arrival in the Tokyo airport, they will be subjected to a saliva test. Results will be delivered quickly and if negative, quarantine will be facilitated by Honda. Sen. Manny Pacquiao and Rep. Joy Tambunting wrote letters of endorsement to the Japanese ministry appealing to facilitate the Magramo team’s testing. It was Honda who requested for the letters of endorsement from government officials to speed up the clearance process.
Elorde said he agreed to all Japanese judges. “We told Giemel about this and he’s not bothered at all,” said Elorde. “Mr. Honda assured us the Japanese judges will be very fair.” GAB chairman Baham Mitra received confirmation from Japan Boxing Commission general secretary Tsuyoshi Yasukochi that the fight is on schedule and because of the Japanese isolation policy, neutral judges may not be accommodated. “Mr. Yasukochi mentioned that a foreigner should be separated for two weeks,” said Mitra. “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.”
WBO Asia Pacific chairman Leon Panoncillo said the contest, which has been postponed five times, is definitely pushing through. “Unfortunately, I will not be there,” said Panoncillo who is based in Thailand. “In WBO title fights, the President (Paco Valcarcel) uses his discretion on the best officials out there internationally and it might not even be from either of the fighter’s country. We are all in this pandemic. It will be what works best to make this fight into fruition. Most likely, it will be all Japanese officials.”
Magramo, 26, has won his last seven fights, all inside the distance and totes a record of 24-1, with 20 KOs. Nakatani, 22, enjoys a three-inch height advantage at 5-7 and boasts a 20-0 mark, with 15 KOs. His last two victims were Filipinos Milan Melindo and Philip Cuerdo, both of whom lost by knockout. Magramo said he’s prepared long and hard for the chance to become the first Filipino world champion crowned in this pandemic. He’s dedicating the fight to Flash Elorde’s widow and his grandmother figure Laura who passed away last May.
Click here to view a list of other articles written by Joaquin Henson.
Recent PhilBoxing.com In-House articles:
THE PAST WEEK IN ACTION 30 June 2025: Zurdo Outpoints Dorticos, Keeps WBA/WBO Cruiser Titles; Mbilli Stops Sulecki in 1; Wins by Kuroki, Wilder and Jake Paul
By Eric Armit, Tue, 01 Jul 2025IIEE Titans secured Finals in BPBL, IIEE Chessmasters retain on top level in Bundesliga
By Marlon Bernardino, Tue, 01 Jul 2025MARIO BARRIOS LAS VEGAS MEDIA WORKOUT QUOTES
Tue, 01 Jul 2025CATTERALL AND EUBANK LAY THEIR 'CARDS ON THE TABLE' AHEAD OF MANCHESTER SHOWDOWN
Tue, 01 Jul 2025Dumadag holds chess tourney
By Marlon Bernardino, Tue, 01 Jul 2025Manny Pacquiao's Case for the Greatest of All Time
By Ace Freeman, Mon, 30 Jun 2025DavNor Adventure Race 2025 set July 2
By Lito delos Reyes, Mon, 30 Jun 2025Gumila rules Antipolo rapid chess tilt
By Marlon Bernardino, Mon, 30 Jun 2025FULL CIRCLE AT WILD CARD: Jhay Otamias’ Tribute to a Fighter and a Fanbase
By Emmanuel Rivera, RRT, Mon, 30 Jun 2025Vince Paras Wins by 4th Round KO Over Sarawut Thawornkham to Capture the IBF Pan Pacific Super Flyweight Title
Mon, 30 Jun 2025Team USA's Quest for Gold Set in Stone at World Boxing Cup: Astana 2025
Mon, 30 Jun 2025SBA SEASON 2 DRAFT UNVEILS RISING STARS AND STRATEGIC MOVES AS TEAMS COMPLETE THEIR ROSTERS
By Marlon Bernardino, Mon, 30 Jun 2025Filipino Elwin Retanal wins Saudi rapid chess meet
By Marlon Bernardino, Mon, 30 Jun 2025Jake Paul Earns Boxing Legitimacy with Dominant Decision Over Julio Cesar Chávez Jr.
By Dong Secuya, Sun, 29 Jun 2025Zurdo Ramirez Defends Cruiserweight Crowns with Unanimous Decision Over Dorticos
By Dong Secuya, Sun, 29 Jun 2025