RUBILLAR RETAINS OPBF TITLE WITH SMASHING KO WIN
By Ronnie Nathanielsz
PhilBoxing.com
Mon, 25 Jun 2007
Juanito Rubillar retained his Orient Pacific Boxing Federation light flyweight title with a smashing fifth round knockout victory over challenger Ken Nakajima of Japan at the Nishinari Ward Gym in Osaka, Sunday.
The 30 year old Filipino southpaw who twice fought Mexican warrior Jorge Arce in Mexico and lost, the second time in a controversial points decision was in the best shape of his life after training for some three months in a determined effort to put on an impressive showing and hopefully earn a world title shot against reigning WBC champion Edgar Sosa who won the title with a majority decision over Brian Viloria last April 14.
Viloria had earlier lost the title to Omar Nino in a twelve round unanimous decision but the rematch which Nino won was declared a no-contest after the Mexican tested positive for a banned substance. Despite the setbacks Viloria is still ranked No. 3 by the WBC while Rubillar who has accused the Hawaii-raised Filipino of avoiding him was ranked No. 4 prior to the Nakajima title defense.
According to the wife of Rubillar’s manager Gabriel “Bebot” Elorde Jr, Arlene Elorde, Rubillar hurt Nakajima with vicious body shots and dropped him twice before putting him away for good at 2:42 of the fifth round. She said the OPBF champion was scheduled to arrive at 1:35 this afternoon aboard a Thai airlines flight.
With the win Rubillar improves his record to 42-10-7 with 19 knockouts while Nakajima dropped to 16-5 with 10 knockouts. The Filipino southpaw won the OPBF title with a seventh round TKO over tough young Indonesian Irfan Ogah on October 13, 2006 in Trece Martires City, Cavite.
Rubillar in a pre-departure interview with Viva Sports/Manila Standard Today was extremely confident of victory saying he had sparred 108 rounds with WBO Asia Pacific flyweight champion Drian Francisco and WBO Inter-continental minimum weight champion Ryan Bito. Rubillar said he was encouraged by the promise of his manager Bebot Elorde to work hard to get him a world title shot which Elorde believes he richly deserves.
Click here to view a list of other articles written by Ronnie Nathanielsz.
Recent PhilBoxing.com In-House articles:
OFFICIAL WEIGHTS AND RUNNING ORDER FOR PACHECO VS SADJO IN STOCKTON
Sat, 13 Dec 2025OFFICIAL WEIGHTS FROM TODAY'S CHM: 2 REMATCH SEASON CEREMONIAL WEIGH-INS IN DOWNTOWN LOS ANGELES
Sat, 13 Dec 2025Donaire to fight Tsutsumi on December 17 in Japan
By Lito delos Reyes, Sat, 13 Dec 2025Nesthy faces Indon legend
By Joaquin Henson, Sat, 13 Dec 2025Bob Santos Joins Broadcast Team for Boxlab Promotions’ “Night of Champions XIII” During WBA’s 104th Annual Convention
Sat, 13 Dec 2025Championship Bouts Set for the Bantam and Intermediate Division
Sat, 13 Dec 2025SEAG Triathlon, aquathlon, duathlon in Rayong
By Lito delos Reyes, Sat, 13 Dec 2025Jeremy Marticio wins IIEE SIKAT, ICFF won PTC World Engineering Opening
By Marlon Bernardino, Sat, 13 Dec 2025Facularin to fight Torres on December 13 in Japan
By Lito delos Reyes, Fri, 12 Dec 2025Baricuatro wins, Veloso falters in SEAG boxing
By Lito delos Reyes, Fri, 12 Dec 2025BASH BOXING AND UP NEXT FIGHTING RETURN WITH SPECIAL EDITION UNF 29 TOMORROW NIGHT AT ACE · MISSION STUDIOS IN LOS ANGELES
Fri, 12 Dec 2025MERCADO AIMING TO SEND MESSAGE TO 140LB RIVALS
Fri, 12 Dec 2025Sullivan Management signs Influencer/pro boxer Brooklyn Barwick
Fri, 12 Dec 2025Round 12: Successful WBC Annual Convention in Bangkok (Photos)
By Mauricio Sulaimán, Fri, 12 Dec 2025Halfway Point Surpassed at the 2025 USA Boxing National Championships
Fri, 12 Dec 2025