Philippines, 12 Jan 2026
  Home >> News

 


BOXERS

CURRENT CHAMPIONS 

FORMER CHAMPIONS   

RATINGS                       

NEWS           

FORUM        

FIGHT GALLERIES        

RING CARD GIRLS        


 
 
News  


IBF SANCTIONS RUBILLAR-SOLIS TITLE FIGHT


PhilBoxing.com




The International Boxing Federation or IBF has sanctioned the light flyweight title fight between the Philippines OPBF champion Juanito Rubillar and Mexico?s reigning world champion Ulises Solis.

The title fight is scheduled to take place on the undercard of the IBF/IBO flyweight championship battle between Nonito ?The Filipino Flash? Donaire and Australia?s Hussein Hussein in Dubai on April 18 promoted by the Third Force, a Filipino outfit with former Philippine Basketball Association Commissioner Noli Eala as point person.

IBF Championship Committee chairman Lindsey Tucker informed Viva Sports/Manila Standard Today that the organization had received the signed contracts from both Solis and Rubillar. He added ?the fight has been formally sanctioned by the IBF.?

Rubillar signed the contract last week in the presence of Games and Amusements Board chairman Eric Buhain and well-known boxing promoter/manager Sammy Gello-ani who represented matchmaker Samson Lewkowicz. It was Lewkowicz who helped negotiate the title fight to the chagrin of WBC secretary general Mauricio Sulaiman.

That's because the WBC had earlier mandated a title eliminator between Rubillar, its OPBF champion and former world champion Omar Nino but when negotiations between interested parties in the Philippines and Nino?s promoter Gary Shaw broke down, Rubillar?s handlers accepted the $25,000 tax free purse to fight Solis without waiting for a purse bid.

Rubillar who is managed by Arlene Elorde, wife of Gabriel ?Bebot? Elorde Jr has already begun training at the Bebot Elorde Gym in Saint Rita?s, Paranaque and said he is determined to win a world title on his fifth attempt.

The 30 year old southpaw has a record of 44-10-7, with 21 KO?s. Rubillar lost a unanimous decision to Zolani Petelo in an IBF minimum weight title fight in Britain on December 3, 1999. He then fought Mexican warrior Jorge Arce twice in Mexico with the first encounter on October 20, 2001 and the second on September 4, 2004. Rubillar lost both on points but the decision in their second title fight was considered controversial. Then he battled Thailand?s Wandee Singwancha for the interim title and dropped another twelve round decision on July 18, 2006 in Bangkok.

Solis who is 26 has a record of 26-1-2 with 20 knockouts including an 8th round TKO over Rodel Mayol on August 4 last year followed by a 9th round TKO over Bert Batawang on December 15.


Click here to view a list of other articles written by Ronnie Nathanielsz.


Recent PhilBoxing.com In-House articles:

  • Chess Players Association of Negros Occidental, Incorporated (CPANOI) – 2026 Opening Event
    By Marlon Bernardino, , Mon, 12 Jan 2026
  • STUNNING SMITH DESTROYS MATIAS TO BECOME WORLD CHAMPION
    , Sun, 11 Jan 2026
  • Former WBC champ Bazooka Limón hospitalized in Mexico
    By Gabriel F. Cordero, , Sun, 11 Jan 2026
  • Zuffa Boxing set to unveil its maiden card on January 23 in Las Vegas
    By Gabriel F. Cordero, , Sat, 10 Jan 2026
  • ‘I’ve got an army and army’s move in numbers’ Owen Corrigan returns for Light Heavyweight title Clash March 13 in Perth – Thunderdome 53
    , Sat, 10 Jan 2026
  • Pasalamat Festival Chess Tour 2026 to Push Through
    By Marlon Bernardino, , Sat, 10 Jan 2026
  • MANNY PACQUIAO PROMOTIONS & TURNING STONE RESORT CASINO PRESENT CHAMPIONSHIP BOXING SATURDAY, FEBRUARY 28 - VERONA, NY
    , Sat, 10 Jan 2026
  • ELIF TURHAN SIGNS NEW MULTI-FIGHT DEAL WITH MATCHROOM BOXING – FIRST IBF WORLD TITLE DEFENCE DATE SET FOR SATURDAY, JANUARY 31
    , Sat, 10 Jan 2026
  • Driving Philippine Tennis Forward: Jean Henri Lhuillier Champions the 2026 Cebuana Lhuillier Tennis Tour
    By Marlon Bernardino, , Sat, 10 Jan 2026
  • 2026 USA Boxing Elite High Performance Selection Camp Attendees Announced
    , Sat, 10 Jan 2026
  • ‘I’m ready to make some noise’ Billy Quinncroft returns for Cruiserweight title Clash March 13 in Perth – Thunderdome 53
    , Fri, 09 Jan 2026
  • Dableo and Laylo's Team to Compete in Bulacan
    By Marlon Bernardino, , Fri, 09 Jan 2026
  • Sanman Boxing present Yeerken vs. Carcedo WBA Asia South Title Clash in General Santos City on Feb 9
    , Fri, 09 Jan 2026
  • Hardstone adds 2 more title fights on January 26
    By Lito delos Reyes, , Fri, 09 Jan 2026
  • Panamerican Boxing Confederation Partners with Xempower for Digital and AI-Driven Transformation
    , Fri, 09 Jan 2026
  • IGMOB TALENT GROUP Launches www.IGMOBTalent.com to Represent Fighters, Entertainers, and Rising Talent Across Sports & Media
    , Fri, 09 Jan 2026
  • SEAG Davao-based athletes eye International stints
    By Lito delos Reyes, , Fri, 09 Jan 2026
  • Canoy banking on his ring experience against Kuse
    By Lito delos Reyes, , Thu, 08 Jan 2026
  • Undefeated Kansas Middleweight Prospect Marco “El Tiburon” Romero finished 2025 with 7th triumphs, all by knockout, & 11-0 record
    , Thu, 08 Jan 2026
  • Kinetix Sports aims for bigger events in 2026
    By Lito delos Reyes, , Thu, 08 Jan 2026
  • 2026 Santa Maria Town Fiesta Chess Challenge on January 26
    By Marlon Bernardino, , Thu, 08 Jan 2026
  • World Ranked Heavyweight Dainier Pero Headlines on Saturday, January 17th at the 2300 Arena in Philadelphia
    , Wed, 07 Jan 2026
  • Jahyae Brown to Battle Arnold Gonzalez in Exciting Co-Feature on Thursday, January 15th at The War Memorial in Trenton, New Jersey
    , Wed, 07 Jan 2026
  • Hendri Cedeno Seeks Monumental Victory Against Alfredo Santiago for NABO Title January 10 at Barclays Center
    , Tue, 06 Jan 2026
  • Kingsley Ibeh learned from his Loss 5 years ago to Jared Anderson
    , Tue, 06 Jan 2026




  •  



     
    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
    © 2026 philboxing.com.