CEBU CITY ? WBO minimumweight champion Merlito ?Tiger? Sabillo is in the thick of preparations for his first title defense this July 13 against Jorle Estrada of Colombia. Sabillo (21-0, 11 KO?s) had fierce exchanges with his sparring partners which included Philippine jr. flyweight champ Jerson Mancio at the ALA Gym last Tuesday.
The 29 year old Sabillo won the interim title in Colombia last March when he beat Luis dela Rosa by 8th round TKO. He was recognized by the WBO as the regular world champion last April.
The 24 year old Estrada (17-6, 6 KO?s) is ranked number 6 in the May 2013 rankings of the WBO. He won the vacant South American minimumweight title last year by split decision over Jose Antonio Jimenez. Familiar names on his ledger are Mauricio Fuentes and Pedro Guevara, who beat Estrada by 7th round TKO in 2011. Guevara lost to IBF lt. flyweight champion Johnriel Casimero last year by split decision. Fuentes is tagged as Casimero?s next challenger. Estrada beat Fuentes by six round unanimous decision in 2009.
Sabillo will fight Estrada at the Solaire Resort Hotel and Casino. ALA gym trainer Edito Villamor told philboxing that he has seen films of Estrada and that he can fight inside and can also box from a distance.
He said that Sabillo should be in his best shape and cannot take the challenger for granted.
ALA Boxers who have been mentioned to be fighting separate opponents on the undercard are AJ Banal, Arthur Villanueva and Albert Pagara.
Top photo: Merlito Sabillo (L) spars with Gerson Mancio.
Trainer Michael Domingo prepares Sabillo for sparring.
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