Merlito “Tiger” Sabillo (born January 19, 1984, in Toboso, Negros Occidental) is a Filipino southpaw who fought professionally from 2008 to 2025. Rising quickly through the minimumweight ranks, he captured the WBO world title in 2013 with a ninth-round stoppage of Luis de la Rosa in Colombia. Sabillo defended the belt twice before losing it to Francisco Rodríguez Jr. in 2014. Known for his aggressive style and resilience, he also held regional titles under the OPBF and WBO Asia Pacific. His career record stands at 27 wins (13 KOs), 13 losses, and 1 draw, marking him as one of Negros Occidental’s most accomplished champions in the lighter divisions.
Bantamweight
Merlito Sabillo
Negros Occidental, Philippines
27Wins
11Losses
1Draws
10KOs
Career: 2008 – 2025
Biography
World Titles
- WBO WBO World Minimumweight Won Jul 13, 2013 · Lost Mar 22, 2014 (TKO Loss) · TKO 10 Francisco Rodriguez Jr
- WBO WBO Interim World Minimumweight Won Mar 9, 2013 · Lost Mar 9, 2014 (Vacated) · TKO 8 Luis de la Rosa
Regional & Other Belts
- ABF ABF Asian Boxing Federation Light Flyweight Won May 27, 2017 · Lost Oct 20, 2018
- OPBF OPBF Oriental and Pacific Boxing Federation Minimumweight Won Oct 8, 2011 · Lost Nov 11, 2016
- Philippines Philippines GAB Minimumweight Won Aug 1, 2010 · Lost Apr 29, 2012
Fight Record
| Date | Opponent | Result | Method | Round | Venue |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| May 3, 2025 | Yan Carlos Perez | D | TKO | 1/8 | Southwest Motor Event Center, Pueblo |
| Sep 16, 2023 | Adrian Rodriguez | D | RTD | 1/6 | Arizona Federal Theatre, Phoenix |
| Aug 5, 2023 | Matthew Griego | D | TKO | 2/10 | Expo New Mexico, Albuquerque |
| Feb 15, 2020 | Sho Kimura | D | TKO | 2/10 | Manila Arena, Manila |
| Apr 13, 2019 | Daniel Valladares | D | TKO | 7/8 | Arena Monterrey, Monterrey |
| Sep 15, 2018 | Jing Xiang | D | UD | 12 | Qinzhou Sports Center Gymnasium, Qinzhou |
| Feb 17, 2018 | Edward Heno | D | SD | 12 | Gaisano City Mall, Bacolod City |
| Oct 20, 2017 | Crison Omayao | D | UD | 12 | Barangay Granada Covered Court, Bacolod City |
| May 27, 2017 | Jack Amisa | D | KO | 3/12 | 888 Chinatown Square Mall, Bacolod City |
| Nov 11, 2016 | Ryuya Yamanaka | D | UD | 12 | Central Gym, Kobe |
| May 8, 2016 | Riku Kano | D | SD | 12 | Bunka Center, Sanda |
| Nov 29, 2015 | Jack Amisa | D | UD | 6 | La Trinidad Municipal Gymnasium, La Trinidad |
| Jun 12, 2015 | Powell Balaba | D | UD | 6 | L' Fisher Hotel La Proa Ballroom, Bacolod City |
| Nov 15, 2014 | Ellias Nggenggo | D | TKO | 4/10 | Cebu City Waterfront Hotel & Casino, Cebu City |
| Mar 22, 2014 | Francisco Rodriguez Jr | D | TKO | 10/12 | Arena Monterrey, Monterrey |
| Nov 30, 2013 | Carlos Buitrago | D | SD | 12 | Araneta Coliseum, Quezon City |
| Jul 13, 2013 | Jorle Estrada | D | KO | 9/12 | Solaire Resort Hotel and Casino, Pasay City |
| Mar 9, 2013 | Luis de la Rosa | D | TKO | 8/12 | Coliseo Mario de León, Cerete |
| Dec 15, 2012 | Rollen Del Castillo | D | RTD | 1/10 | PAGCOR Hotel and Casino, Bacolod City |
| Sep 22, 2012 | Jovel Romasasa | D | KO | 1/8 | Cebu City Waterfront Hotel & Casino, Cebu City |
| May 4, 2012 | Jonathan Refugio | D | TKO | 7/12 | L' Fisher Hotel, La Proa Ballroom, Bacolod City |
| Jan 28, 2012 | Sofyan Effendi | D | UD | 8 | Cebu City Waterfront Hotel & Casino, Cebu City |
| Oct 8, 2011 | Rodel Tejares | D | UD | 12 | University of St. La Salle Coliseum, Bacolod City |
| Apr 30, 2011 | Roger Echavez | D | TKO | 7/12 | PAGCOR Hotel and Casino, Bacolod City |
| Feb 26, 2011 | Jade Yagahon | D | KO | 3/10 | PAGCOR Hotel and Casino, Bacolod City |
| Nov 20, 2010 | Donny Mabao | D | MD | 12 | PAGCOR Hotel and Casino, Bacolod City |
| Aug 1, 2010 | Jetly Purisima | D | UD | 12 | PAGCOR Hotel and Casino, Bacolod City |
| May 29, 2010 | Jonathan Ricablanca | D | RTD | 4/8 | PAGCOR Hotel and Casino, Bacolod City |
| Feb 21, 2010 | Roel Honor | D | UD | 10 | PAGCOR Hotel and Casino, Bacolod City |
| Dec 12, 2009 | Jetly Purisima | D | UD | 10 | PAGCOR Hotel and Casino, Bacolod City |
| Aug 29, 2009 | Jetly Purisima | D | SD | 10 | PAGCOR Hotel and Casino, Bacolod City |
| May 30, 2009 | Fabio Marfa | D | UD | 10 | PAGCOR Hotel and Casino, Bacolod City |
| Feb 21, 2009 | Arnel Tadena | D | RTD | 4/8 | PAGCOR Hotel and Casino, Bacolod City |
| Nov 29, 2008 | Ruther del Castillo | D | UD | 8 | PAGCOR Hotel and Casino, Bacolod City |
| Sep 20, 2008 | Steve Demaisip | D | KO | 5/6 | PAGCOR Hotel and Casino, Bacolod City |
| Jul 12, 2008 | Edcel Tunacao | D | TKO | 3/6 | West Negros University Gym, Bacolod City |
| May 12, 2008 | Leo Torres | D | TKO | 2/4 | Loay, Bohol |
| Mar 15, 2008 | Junel Busano | D | UD | 4 | PAGCOR Hotel and Casino, Bacolod City |
| Jan 26, 2008 | Powell Balaba | D | UD | 4 | PAGCOR Hotel and Casino, Bacolod City |
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