A HOSTILE crowd and first-time fight jitters didn?t seem to trouble Merlito Sabillo as he snagged the World Boxing Organization (WBO) mini-flyweight belt with a rousing eighth round technical knockout over one-time world title challenger and hometown bet Luis de la Rosa yesterday at the Coliseo Mario de Leon in Colombia.
?I had a feeling he would knock out de la Rosa because we told him he can?t win if it?s going to go 12 rounds. I know Sabillo and the guy is all heart,? ALA Promotions president Michael Aldeguer told Sun.Star Cebu yesterday.
Sabillo, who was in his first world title fight, displayed his never-say-die attitude and traded vicious shots with de la Rosa the whole night. De la Rosa got cut in the opening round but it never seemed to bother him.
However, in the eighth round, the 29-year-old Sabillo knocked down de la Rosa with a vicious right punch. De la Rosa stood up but Sabillo immediately pounced on him and sent him back to the canvas. The Colombian, who once fought Raul Garcia for the same title, beat the count again but was still hurt, which forced the referee to stop the fight with just two seconds left in the round.
Sabillo joins WBO super bantamweight titleholder Nonito Donaire Jr., WBO and World Boxing Association flyweight titlist Brian Viloria, WBO light flyweight king Donnie Nietes and International Boxing Federation light flyweight champion Johnriel Casimero as the current Filipino world champions.
Sabillo remained unbeaten with 21-0 and 11 knockouts, while de la Rosa dropped to 21-2- 1 with 12 knockouts.
?I always believed in Sabillo because of his heart and will to win. We will discuss this with the WBO and find out what?s next for Sabillo; there may be a chance Sabillo will fight Moises Fuentes,? said Aldeguer.
Sabillo is the mandatory opponent of current WBO light flyweight titleholder Moises Fuentes. However, if Fuentes, who fought for the WBO light flyweight belt against Nietes last March 2, decides to permanently move up in weight, then Sabillo will be declared as the regular champion.
