Philippines, 28 Dec 2024
  Home >> News

 


BOXERS

CURRENT CHAMPIONS 

FORMER CHAMPIONS   

RATINGS                       

NEWS           

FORUM        

FIGHT GALLERIES        

RING CARD GIRLS        


 
 
News  


Sabillo to fight in Japan for OPBF title-fight


PhilBoxing.com




FORMER world champion Merlito ?Tiger? Sabillo is now training in La Trinidad, Benguet for his upcoming title-fight against young Japanese Riku Kano on May 8 at the Bunka Center in Sanda, Hyogo, Japan.

The 32-year old Sabillo, a former WBO world minimumweight champion will be fighting the 18-year old Kano for the interim Orient Pacific Boxing Federation (OPBF) minimumweight title.

?Mas maganda kasing mag training doon sa Benguet kasi malamig din ang klima tulad sa Japan,? said Sabillo?s new manager Brico Santig of the Highland Promotions.

Sabillo (25W-2L-1D-12KOs) lost his WBO world title Francisco Rodriguez Jr. by a TKO last March 22, 2014 in Mexico. It was followed by another setback from the hands of Ellias Nggenggo also by a TKO in Cebu City last November 15, 2014.

But after signing up with the Highlands Promotions of international promoter-manager Brico Santig, Sabillo bounced back with two back-to-back wins.

He first outclassed Powell Balaba by a unanimous decision at the L' Fisher Hotel, La Proa Ballroom in his hometown in Bacolod City last Nov. 29, 2015.

Sabillo then crushed Jack Amisa also by UD on Nov. 29, 2015 at the La Trinidad Municipal Gymnasium in La Trinidad, Benguet.

?Gusto niyang ipakita na hindi pa siya laos,? said Santig.

Sabillo, however, will be facing a younger and tough Japanese boxer, who is a southpaw.

Kano has won all his last seven fights, four of them by knockout. Kano previously won by a first round knockout against Chaichana Sor Por Por of Laos last February 26 in Wat Kokkuod, Surin, Thailand.

?Mag ingat lang siya kasi my pang knockout din ang Hapon na mas bata pa sa kanya,? said Santig.

Sabillo first won the Philippine minimumweight title with a TKO win over Roger Echavez on April 30, 2011 at his hometown in Bacolod. He then captured the OPBF minimumweight crown via a UD over Rodel Tejares on October 8, 2011 also in Bacolod.

He defended it successfully against Jonathan Refugio by a TKO last May 4, 2012 also in Bacolod. Sabillo, formerly under the ALA Promotions in Cebu, then captured the interim WBO world minimumweight crown by an 8th round TKO over Luis de la Rosa last March 9, 2013 in Coliseo Mario de Le?n in Cerete, Colombia.

He first successfully defended it by a KO over Jorle Estrada on July 13, 2013 at the Solaire Resort Hotel and Casino in Cebu.

He first defended it by a split draw with Carlos Buitrago at the Araneta Coliseum on November 30, 2013. ? LITO DELOS REYES


Photo: Former world champion Merlito "Tiger" Sabillo carrying weights in preparation for his OPBF title fight in Japan. (Photo courtesy of Highland Promotions)


Click here to view a list of other articles written by Lito delos Reyes.


Recent PhilBoxing.com In-House articles:

  • Jayson Mama vs. Michael Bravo Ends in Technical Draw; Joey Canoy and Rv Deniega shine in Sanman's Last Show of 2024.
    , Sat, 28 Dec 2024
  • Casama to face Fujita in Tokyo
    By Lito delos Reyes, , Sat, 28 Dec 2024
  • Mirano, Bernardino, Alidani shine in Penang chess tilt
    By Marlon Bernardino, , Sat, 28 Dec 2024
  • February 24: Junto Nakatani-David Cuellar Title Showdown Headlines a Bantamweight Bonanza in Tokyo LIVE on ESPN+
    , Fri, 27 Dec 2024
  • Zamora, Soledad crush opponents in Bangkok
    By Lito delos Reyes, , Fri, 27 Dec 2024
  • GOLDEN BOY LAUNCHES INTO 2025 WITH ERIC PRIEST HEADLINING FIRST-EVER SHOW AGAINST TYLER “HERCULES” HOWARD
    , Fri, 27 Dec 2024
  • PH Fighter of the Year, Top Fighters of 2024
    By Teodoro Medina Reynoso, , Fri, 27 Dec 2024
  • Three in line for title bids
    By Joaquin Henson, , Fri, 27 Dec 2024
  • Paciones wins WBA Asia light fly title
    By Lito delos Reyes, , Fri, 27 Dec 2024
  • Yanong KOs Phayom in 2nd round
    By Lito delos Reyes, , Fri, 27 Dec 2024
  • Cebuana Lhuillier Tennis Team Dominates, Defends Title at 41st PCA Open Championship
    By Marlon Bernardino, , Fri, 27 Dec 2024
  • MIEL FAJARDO READY FOR YOHANA IN EXCITING WBO 112 GLOBAL TODAY IN TANZANIA
    By Carlos Costa, , Thu, 26 Dec 2024
  • Today! Paciones, Yanong, Zamora, Soledad Ready for Action in Highland Show in Thailand
    By Carlos Costa, , Thu, 26 Dec 2024
  • LERASAN, KASSIM, MAKE WEIGHT FOR WBF 118 BELT IN TANZANIA
    By Carlos Costa, , Thu, 26 Dec 2024
  • IIEE Metro Central scores 24-24 standoff versus IIEE Western Visayas in the 3rd D’ Engineers Cup
    By Marlon Bernardino, , Thu, 26 Dec 2024
  • Ortega wins Laguna chess
    By Marlon Bernardino, , Wed, 25 Dec 2024
  • Paciones to fight Li in Bangkok on Dec. 26
    By Lito delos Reyes, , Tue, 24 Dec 2024
  • Antonio Vargas Seeks Showdown with WBA Bantamweight Champion Seiya Tsutsumi
    , Tue, 24 Dec 2024
  • FIGHTBOOK ANNOUNCES OFFICIAL LAUNCH IN EARLY 2025 AND OPENS PRE-REGISTRATION FOR PROFESSIONAL BOXERS
    , Tue, 24 Dec 2024
  • IBA investigates possible integrity violations at the ASBC Asian Boxing Championships in Thailand
    , Tue, 24 Dec 2024
  • NM Ilar rules 7th Nova Onas Rapid chess tilt
    By Marlon Bernardino, , Tue, 24 Dec 2024
  • Where Have All THE Heavyweights Gone?
    By Teodoro Medina Reynoso, , Mon, 23 Dec 2024
  • World-Ranked Contenders Jayson Mama, Joey Canoy, and Esneth Domingo Scheduled to Return on December 27 in Kalamansig
    , Mon, 23 Dec 2024
  • Beltran loses by KO in Japan
    By Lito delos Reyes, , Mon, 23 Dec 2024
  • CATTERALL COLLIDES WITH BARBOZA JR AT CO-OP LIVE ON FEBRUARY 15
    , Mon, 23 Dec 2024




  •  



     
    PhilBoxing.com has been created to support every aspiring
    Filipino boxer and the Philippine boxing scene in general.
    Please send comments to feedback@philboxing.com


    PRIVATE POLICY | LEGAL DISCLAIMER
    developed and maintained by dong secuya
    © 2024 philboxing.com.