Juanito Rubillar of the Philippines and Thailand’s Wandee Singwangcha made the weight easily for today’s World Boxing Council interim light-flyweight title fight at the MCC Hall of the Mall Shopping Centre at Bangkapi. Juanito weighed 49.92 kilos and Wandee scaled 49.96 kilos. The light-flyweight weight limit is 49.988 kilos.
The fight will be televised live by Thai TV Channel 7 from 3.30pm.
At yesterday’s rules meeting held after the weigh-in at the Paolo Memorial Hospital, the manager of Rubillar, Gabriel Bebot S.Elorde asked the supervisor of the fight Chandru Lalvani of Indonesia why there was an interim title fight for the light-flyweight division when the champion Brian Villoria of the US is going to defend his title against a Mexican shortly.
Mr Lalvani explained that when the WBC ordered the interim title-fight Villoria was injured, but now he is fit, hence today’s fight could not be cancelled.
That’s why the interim fight is taking place.
”But I am sure, the winner will meet Villoria next to settle the title,” he said,
The other officials for the fight are: Referee _ Malcolm Bulner (Australia), judges Takeaki Kanaya (Japan), Brad Vocale (Australia) and Jae Bong Kim (Korea).
The 29-year-old Rubillar has fought 55 times, earned 39 victories including 17 knockouts. He lost 17 times and was held to seven draws.
He also had two good fights against Mexico’s well known Jorge Arce, in the latter’s home in Mexico, both of which he lost on points.
In fact, the second fight had a highly controversial ending. Many thought that Rubillar had won.
Wandee who was former WBC minimum weight champion also held the international title for the light-flyweight division. Rubillar who is 29 is top-ranked in the WBC light-flyweight division and the 26-year-old Wandee is number two.
Wandee has won 48 of his 56 fights with 10 knockout wins. He lost seven times and was held to a draw.
His manager, Naris Singwancha said yesterday Wandee has trained very hard for this fight.
”We know that Rubillar is strong but we are well prepared for the fight,” he added.
