Boholano pug seeks redemption vs unbeaten Japanese foe

Sports

RIDING high on a three-fight winning streak, sleek fighter Gerwin Asilo left for Japan on Thursday, April 9, setting out on what could be a career-defining journey.

The 25-year-old Boholano boxer is all set for a non-title but a highly important duel against undefeated Japanese boxer Keita Nakayama on April 12 at the Sumiyoshi Ward Center in Osaka, Japan.

Asilo is seeking redemption after faltering in his first foray in Japan.

In 2024, Asilo faced former kickboxing star Tenshin Nasukawa for the World Boxing Organization Asia-Pacific bantamweight title but ended up absorbing a unanimous decision loss that snapped his unbeaten pro career start.

Asilo bounced back strong from that sorry loss by racking up three straight wins, cementing his status as one of the rising stars of the stacked PMI Bohol Boxing Stable.

Asilo has 12 wins, five coming via knockout.

Standing in Asilo’s way is the 23-year-old prospect Nakayama.

The youthful Japanese boxer turned professional only in 2025 and struck three successive wins–all by knockout.

One of Nakayama’s victims is Filipino veteran fighter Ben Ligas.

Asilo is accompanied in Japan by his coach Romnic Hoybia.(CCM)