👑 World Champion

Merlito “Tiger” Sabillo

📍 Place of Birth: Negros Occidental, Philippines

27 Wins

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11 Losses

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1 Draws

13 KOs

Career: 2008 – 2025

World Titles

WBO WBO World Minimumweight

Won: Jul 13, 2013 KO R9 Jorle Estrada; 1 DefenseLost: Mar 22, 2014 TKO R10 Francisco Rodriguez Jr

WBO WBO Interim World Minimumweight

Won: Mar 09, 2013 TKO R8 Luis de la RosaLost: Mar 09, 2014 Vacated

Regional Belts

ABF ABF Asian Boxing Federation Light Flyweight

Won: May 27, 2017 KO R3 Jack Amisa; 1 DefenseLost: Oct 20, 2018 Vacated

OPBF OPBF OPBF, OPBF Oriental and Pacific Boxing Federation Minimumweight

Won: Oct 08, 2011 UD Rodel TejaresLost: Oct 07, 2012 Vacated

Philippine Philippines Philippine Games & Amusements Board, Philippines GAB Minimumweight

Won: Aug 01, 2010 UD Jetly Purisima; 2 DefensesLost: Apr 29, 2012 Vacated

About Merlito Sabillo

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.

Fight Record 39 bouts

No.	Date	Location	Opponent	Division	Result	Rds	At Stake
39	03 May 2025	Southwest Motor Event Center, Pueblo, US	Yan Carlos Perez 5-0-0	Super Bantamweight	L-TKO	1/8
38	16 Sep 2023	Arizona Federal Theatre, Phoenix, US	Adrian Rodriguez 5-0-0	Super Featherweight	L-RTD	1/6
37	05 Aug 2023	Expo New Mexico, Albuquerque, US	Matthew Griego 13-0-0	Flyweight	L-TKO	2/10	NABF North American Boxing Federation Flyweight
36	15 Feb 2020	Manila Arena, Manila, PH	Sho Kimura 18-3-2	Super Flyweight	L-TKO	2/10
35	13 Apr 2019	Arena Monterrey, Monterrey, MX	Daniel Valladares 19-1-0	Flyweight	L-TKO	7/8
34	15 Sep 2018	Qinzhou Sports Center Gymnasium, Qinzhou, CN	Jing Xiang 14-4-2	Light Flyweight	L-UD	12	WBC Silver Light Flyweight
33	17 Feb 2018	Gaisano City Mall, Bacolod City, PH	Edward Heno 11-0-5	Light Flyweight	L-SD	12	OPBF Oriental and Pacific Boxing Federation Light Flyweight
32	20 Oct 2017	Barangay Granada Covered Court, Bacolod City, PH	Crison Omayao 22-14-4	Light Flyweight	W-UD	12	ABF Asian Boxing Federation Light Flyweight
31	27 May 2017	888 Chinatown Square Mall, Bacolod City, PH	Jack Amisa 21-43-2	Flyweight	W-KO	3/12	ABF Asian Boxing Federation Light Flyweight
30	11 Nov 2016	Central Gym, Kobe, JP	Ryuya Yamanaka 12-2-0	Minimumweight	L-UD	12	OPBF Oriental and Pacific Boxing Federation Minimumweight
29	08 May 2016	Bunka Center, Sanda, JP	Riku Kano 9-1-1	Minimumweight	L-SD	12	WBO Asia Pacific Minimumweight
28	29 Nov 2015	La Trinidad Municipal Gymnasium, La Trinidad, PH	Jack Amisa 21-39-2	Light Flyweight	W-UD	6
27	12 Jun 2015	L' Fisher Hotel La Proa Ballroom, Bacolod City, PH	Powell Balaba 8-14-1	Light Flyweight	W-UD	6
26	15 Nov 2014	Cebu City Waterfront Hotel & Casino, Cebu City, PH	Ellias Nggenggo 8-7-3	Light Flyweight	L-TKO	4/10
25	22 Mar 2014	Arena Monterrey, Monterrey, MX	Francisco Rodriguez Jr 16-2-0	Minimumweight	L-TKO	10/12	WBO World Minimumweight
24	30 Nov 2013	Araneta Coliseum, Quezon City, PH	Carlos Buitrago 27-0-0	Minimumweight	D-SD	12	WBO World Minimumweight
23	13 Jul 2013	Solaire Resort Hotel and Casino, Pasay City, PH	Jorle Estrada 17-6-0	Minimumweight	W-KO	9/12	WBO World Minimumweight
22	09 Mar 2013	Coliseo Mario de León, Cerete, CO	Luis de la Rosa 21-1-1	Minimumweight	W-TKO	8/12	WBO Interim World Minimumweight
21	15 Dec 2012	PAGCOR Hotel and Casino, Bacolod City, PH	Rollen Del Castillo 19-12-2	Flyweight	W-RTD	1/10
20	22 Sep 2012	Cebu City Waterfront Hotel & Casino, Cebu City, PH	Jovel Romasasa 10-7-0	Light Flyweight	W-KO	1/8
19	04 May 2012	L' Fisher Hotel La Proa Ballroom, Bacolod City, PH	Jonathan Refugio 11-2-4	Minimumweight	W-TKO	7/12	OPBF Oriental and Pacific Boxing Federation Minimumweight
18	28 Jan 2012	Cebu City Waterfront Hotel & Casino, Cebu City, PH	Sofyan Effendi 13-12-3	Light Flyweight	W-UD	8
17	08 Oct 2011	University of St. La Salle Coliseum, Bacolod City, PH	Rodel Tejares 19-19-4	Minimumweight	W-UD	12	OPBF Oriental and Pacific Boxing Federation Minimumweight · OPBF Minimumweight
16	30 Apr 2011	PAGCOR Hotel and Casino, Bacolod City, PH	Roger Echavez 7-2-1	Minimumweight	W-TKO	7/12	Philippines GAB Minimumweight · Philippine Games & Amusements Board Minimumweight
15	26 Feb 2011	PAGCOR Hotel and Casino, Bacolod City, PH	Jade Yagahon 7-1-2	Light Flyweight	W-KO	3/10
14	20 Nov 2010	PAGCOR Hotel and Casino, Bacolod City, PH	Donny Mabao 16-15-1	Minimumweight	W-MD	12	Philippines GAB Minimumweight · Philippine Games & Amusements Board Minimumweight
13	01 Aug 2010	PAGCOR Hotel and Casino, Bacolod City, PH	Jetly Purisima 14-7-1	Minimumweight	W-UD	12	Philippines GAB Minimumweight · Philippine Games & Amusements Board Minimumweight
12	29 May 2010	PAGCOR Hotel and Casino, Bacolod City, PH	Jonathan Ricablanca 3-20-1	Light Flyweight	W-RTD	4/8
11	21 Feb 2010	PAGCOR Hotel and Casino, Bacolod City, PH	Roel Honor 5-21-2	Light Flyweight	W-UD	10
10	12 Dec 2009	PAGCOR Hotel and Casino, Bacolod City, PH	Jetly Purisima 12-5-1	Light Flyweight	W-UD	10
9	29 Aug 2009	PAGCOR Hotel and Casino, Bacolod City, PH	Jetly Purisima 12-4-1	Minimumweight	W-SD	10
8	30 May 2009	PAGCOR Hotel and Casino, Bacolod City, PH	Fabio Marfa 25-25-4	Flyweight	W-UD	10
7	21 Feb 2009	PAGCOR Hotel and Casino, Bacolod City, PH	Arnel Tadena 11-6-3	Light Flyweight	W-RTD	4/8
6	29 Nov 2008	PAGCOR Hotel and Casino, Bacolod City, PH	Ruther del Castillo 7-8-6	Light Flyweight	W-UD	8
5	20 Sep 2008	PAGCOR Hotel and Casino, Bacolod City, PH	Steve Demaisip 13-16-1	Light Flyweight	W-KO	5/6
4	12 Jul 2008	West Negros University Gym, Bacolod City, PH	Edcel Tunacao 2-3-0	Light Flyweight	W-TKO	3/6
3	12 May 2008	Loay, Bohol, PH	Leo Torres 2-0-1	Minimumweight	W-TKO	2/4
2	15 Mar 2008	PAGCOR Hotel and Casino, Bacolod City, PH	Junel Busano	Light Flyweight	W-UD	4
1	26 Jan 2008	PAGCOR Hotel and Casino, Bacolod City, PH	Powell Balaba 0-2-0	Minimumweight	W-UD	4

Fighters’ record database is an ongoing project. Fight data may be incomplete or inaccurate. Send comment or info to feedback@philboxing.com.

Merlito Sabillo Also Mentioned In 355 articles

← Back to Headlines

Sweet science lives on , by Edri Aznar, Sun.Star Cebu ↗ 24 Feb 2015 Francisco Rodriguez Jr.: One Correction From Nietes? , by Cliff Rold, BoxingScene.com ↗ 29 Jan 2015 Quijano: State of Philippine boxing 2015 (3rd in a series) , by Jingo Quijano, Sun.Star Cebu ↗ 21 Jan 2015 Quijano: State of Philipping boxing , by Jingo Quijano, Sun.Star Cebu ↗ 18 Jan 2015 2014 THE YEAR IN PHILIPPINE BOXING PART I , by Rene Bonsubre, Jr., PhilBoxing.com 31 Dec 2014 Heartbreak losses cap pro boxing year , by Joaquin Henson, The Philippine Star ↗ 30 Dec 2014 2014: The best of Philippine boxing , by Ryan Songalia, Rappler ↗ 26 Dec 2014 Cebu Boxing 2014 , by Rico Navarro, The Freeman ↗ 22 Dec 2014 Who's The Champ vs. Who's The Best - Part II , by Jake Donovan, BoxingScene.com ↗ 19 Nov 2014 Nietes move to flyweight put on hold , by Joaquin Henson, The Philippine Star ↗ 19 Nov 2014 Fuentes to break tie , by Joaquin Henson, The Philippine Star ↗ 19 Nov 2014 Boxing: Morilla?s Sunday Report Card ? Ramirez Stops Zu?iga and Much More , by Diego Morilla, XN Sports ↗ 18 Nov 2014 Guv, mayor hail Nietes?s history-making victory , Sun.Star Bacolod ↗ 17 Nov 2014 On the Move: SecondsOut World Rankings 11-16-14 , by Derek Bonnett, SecondsOut.com ↗ 17 Nov 2014 Hail, King Donnie! , by Edri Aznar, Sun.Star Cebu ↗ 17 Nov 2014 Nietes halts Mexican foe; Pagara prevails , by Roy Luarca, Philippine Daily Inquirer ↗ 17 Nov 2014 Nietes can break Flash?s record , by Associated Press, SuperSport ↗ 16 Nov 2014 Donnie Nietes forces Velarde to quit, retains junior flyweight championship , by Ryan Songalia, Rappler ↗ 16 Nov 2014 ?Knockout party? , by Edri Aznar, Sun.Star Cebu ↗ 14 Nov 2014 PINOY PRIDE 28: NIETES AND VELARDE MAKE WEIGHT , by Rene Bonsubre, Jr., PhilBoxing.com 14 Nov 2014

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Fight Record 39 bouts Show

Merlito Sabillo Also Mentioned In 355 articles

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Fight Record 39 bouts