Sem Japet Enano, a rising Filipino boxer, will finally make his much-awaited fight abroad when he takes on Japanese Misaki Hirano in a scheduled eight-rounder on Dec. 7 in Fukuoka, Japan.

With a ring record of seven wins - three of which were via knockouts - against one loss, Enano said he is thrilled to be fighting outside the country, a big chance for him to showcase his skills inside the squared circle.

He will be fighting at featherweight division (126 kilograms) against an opponent that carries a record of 11 wins with two defeats.

“First international fight ko, and ang feeling ko is regular fight lang din siya ang pinag-kaiba lang sa abroad gagawin. Pero dahil na din sa abroad gagawin, talagang excited ako, mas pursigido ako sa training,” said Enano.

“Naniniwala naman ako sa sarili ko na kaya ko manalo, maganda kasi ang preparasyon, ang training. Gutom ako sa panalo, kaya - hindi naman sa minamaliit ko yung kalaban - tiwala ako sa sarili ko na kaya ko,” added Enano.

The 26-year-old Enano said he is not just aiming for a win, but his desire is to establish his name as a legitimate contender for a world title fight and get a big payday similar to what his idol and Filipino boxing legend Manny Pacquiao did in an illustrious career.

He said that his parents, Jose and Salvacion, and his 10 siblings are what motivates him to always give his best every time he fights.

“Talagang pangarap ko na mabigyan sila ng magandang buhay. Ang parents ko kasama na din ang mga kapatid ko. Sila ang inspirasyon ko kaya talagang pinagbubuti ko sa ensayo at lalo sa mga laban ko,” said Enano.

A native of Binan, Laguna, Enano finishes his junior high school via Alternative Learning Center or ALC at the town’s national high school. He opted to skip college to focus on boxing, and it was in 2023 when he turned pro after a three-year amateur career, where he posted a record of 18 wins with two losses.

Though he started late at age 14 as an amateur boxer, he was able to develop his skills, which enabled him to jump to pro with ease. He won his first four pro fights, and then lost to Bryan Cabrillos from Davao City in a majority decision last March 2024.

Enano bounced back with a TKO win against Rodelyn Perez last July 2024, and it was at that time that Sanman Boxing Promotions boss JC Manangquil took notice of his potential.

“Lumapit ako kay boss JC after ko manalo na kung pwede niya ako matulungan," he said.

"Malaking tulong kasi may mga improvements talaga ako ang eto nga nabigyan ako agad ng pagkakataon na makalaban sa abroad,” said Enano, who also considers American boxers Teofino Lopez and Jese Rodriguez, as well as former Ukranian fighter Vasiliy Lomachenko as his other favorites.

Enano’s last fight was also a TKO win against Reycar Auxilio last August 31 at the Phela Grande Convention Center in General Santos City. 

Enano will be facing a dangerous opponent eyeing for a comeback after Hirano suffered a majority decision loss to compatriot Toshiki Shimomachi last January 24 in Koto-Ko.

"Tignan na lang natin sa laban, parehas naman kami nagpr-prepara. Gutom siya na maka-balik uli sa panalo, pero gutom din naman ako sa panalo kasi alam kong magbibigay daan ito sa akin ng mas malalaking laban," said Enano.