Filipino World Champion Merlito Sabillo defends his title in enemys territory in Mexico by Jay-R Bayon-on Undefeated Filipino world champion Merlito Tiger Sabillo will defend his World Boxing Organization (WBO) minimumweight title in enemys territory against Francisco Rodriguez Jr. in Mexico on Saturday (Sunday, Manila time). The 30-year-old Sabillo, out of ALA Gym in Cebu, arrived in Monterey, Mexico on Wednesday from San Diego, California, where Sabillo completed the second phase of his two-month training. He was accompanied by a small entourage composed of trainer Edito Villamor and ALA boxing vice president Dennis Canete in Mexico. It will be the first time that Sabillo will defend his title outside of the Philippines. The 12-round match will be shown live on Sunday morning by ABS-CBN. Winning the Crown Sabillo defeated Colombias Luis de la Rosa via 8-round technical knockout to win the interim WBO Minimumweight world title on March 9, 2013 in Colombia. He was later announced as the full champion after original champion Moises Fuentes relinquised the title to move up to a higher weight in the Light Flyweight. He successfully made his first title defense against Jorle Estrada on July 13, 2013 in Manila via 9th round stoppage. In his second title defense, he survived a draw against a rugged opponent in Nicaraguan Carlos Buitrago, who was undefeated at that time, on November 11,2013 at the Smart-Araneta Coliseum. The native of Toboso, Negros Occidental wants to bounce back from that draw when he face an up-and-coming fighter in Rodriguez. “It’s a chance for Sabillo to prove himself after his fight against Carlos Buitrago,” said Canete in a text message from Mexico on Thursday. Sabillo has a record of 23 wins, no loss, and a draw with 12 KOs while the 20-year-old Rodriguez has 13 wins and 2 losses along with 9 KOs. “Of course, we’re not taking chances. Malakas din si Rodriguez,” Canete added. Rodriguez has won back-to-back fights over unheralded Moises Calleros and Ernesto Guerrero. But before those wins, he dropped a seventh round technical knockout over arguably one of the best in the division in Roman Gonzalez. He also faced another notable name in boxing in Manuel Vargas before where he won via a 3rd round TKO. Vargas had previously been beaten by Filipino world champions Donnie `Ahas’ Nietes and Nonito Donaire. - See more at: pinoystarnews/2014/03/Sabillo-defends-title-in-enemy.html#sthash.AxdT3tcZ.dpuf
Posted on: Thu, 20 Mar 2014 07:54:09 +0000
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