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Philippines, 17 Mar 2026 |
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SABILLO RIPPED AND READY FOR TITLE DEFENSE AGAINST RODRIGUEZ JR By Ronnie Nathanielsz PhilBoxing.com Thu, 20 Mar 2014  WBO minimumweight champion Merlito ?Tiger? Sabillo is ripped and ready to defend his title against Mexico?s Francisco Rodriguez Jr in Monterrey on Sunday, Manila Time. Sabillo who arrived in Monterrey from San Diego via Houston on Wednesday afternoon along with trainer Edito ?Ala? Villamor and ALA Promotions vice president Dennis Canete, said he has studied the fight tapes of Rodriguez and together with his training staff have worked on weaknesses they spotted in the challenger. Sabillo told the Manila Standard that he has never felt better after undergoing the demanding regimen of strength and conditioning coach Nick Curson who also worked with Genesis Servania, Milan Melindo and WBO light flyweight champion Donnie Nietes. Sabillo expressed quiet confidence that he could handle the 20 year old Mexican challenger and will return home with his belt. Following his arrival in Monterrey, Sabillo did some light training which included some shadow boxing in the hotel in order to maintain his weight. Villamor told us it was "the best training camp we ever had" and Sabillo went through some torrid sparring in Freddie Roach?s Wild Card Gym and also in San Diego. Before leaving San Diego, Sabillo tapered off working on the punch-mitts, skipping rope, shadow boxing and honing his reflexes on the speed ball. Villamor said ?this is the best condition Merlito has been in and he is ready to defend his title.? However, they both conceded that Rodriguez is no pushover with a record of 9 knockouts in 13 wins with just two defeats. The Mexican can box and can also punch as shown in his 3rd round TKO over former world minimum weight champion Manuel ?Chango? Vargas and a 5th round TKO of Victor Ruiz along with a 5th round TKO over Ernesto Guerrero who suffered a rib injury after getting nailed with a solid left hook to the body. Sabillo, the former street fighter from Bacolod is undefeated with a record of 23 wins, 1 draw and 12 wins by knockout. He won the title with a dominating 8th round TKO over fancied Luis De La Rosa of Colombia in Colombia and then successfully defended his title with a crushing, one?punch knockout to the ribs that had challenger Jorlie Estrada, also of Colombia, down on the canvas grimacing in pain. The fight card will be telecast by the giant broadcast network ABS-CBN Sports and Action on Sunday at noon and not on Channel 2 as previously reported. Sabillo poses after his work out at a Monterrey hotel in Mexico. Click here to view a list of other articles written by Ronnie Nathanielsz.  |
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