Sabillo, Heno ready to defend belts in unification title fight
By Jerome S. Galunan Jr.
PhilBoxing.com
Sat, 17 Feb 2018
BACOLOD CITY -- All set for the Oriental and Pacific Boxing Federation (OPBF) ? Asian Boxing Federation (ABF) junior flyweight unification fight today, February 17 in what is dubbed as Civil War ? Champion vs. Champion at 4 p.m. at the Gaisano City Mall in Bacolod City.
Both Toboso-native and reigning ABF champion Merlito ?Tiger? Sabillo (27-4-1) and OPBF titlist Edward ?El Heneral? Heno (11-0-5) of Baguio are looking at defending their respective belts in a highly-anticipated clash of the champions after making into the 108 weight limit. Sabillo registered 106 lbs. while Heno at 103 lbs.
During the pre-match press conference, the 34-year-old Sabillo said that he has been training hard for this fight ? hoping that a win today will give him another shot in the world championship. ?I train hard and pray harder for this fight. I just hope that both of us [Heno] will finish the fight safe,? he said.
Meanwhile, the undefeated Heno stressed that while he is aware that Sabillo is a former world champion but, didn?t bother to watch and study the latter?s fights. ?I didn?t watch his fights. Not one. I just focused on my training and game plan,? he said.
On the other hand, Highland International Boxing Promotion promoter Brico Santig said that he brought this title fight in Bacolod City because he knew that there are numerous champions who came from the city and the province. ?We would like to further promote this sport in this city because we knew that aside from the long list of champions, there are a lot of potential titlists who just need some exposures,? he added.
Former Games and Amusement Board chairman Monju Guanzon said that they pushed this event in the city because nobody does. ?If we don?t work on it, who will? Everyone are dreaming that we would be able to develop another world champion but, no one is brave enough to spend money to host it. Thanks to Mayor Evelio Leonardia for extending help for the realization of this event,? he said.
Completing yesterday?s official weigh-in: Bacolod?s John Michael Zulueta and Ebonito Loperez of Davao City weighed 107 lbs. each for the 109 lbs. limit; La Tinidad?s Rey Loreto and Arnold Garde of Davao City registered 108.5 lbs. for the 108 lbs. catch weight; Ryan Lumacad and Brian Diano of Cagayan de Oro hit the weight limit with 119 lbs., each; and Bacolod?s Paolo Sy and Murcia town Elmer Liboon got, 109 and 112 lbs. to make it into the record.
This event is supervised by the Games and Amusement Board headed by Chairman Abraham Kahlil Mitra. (Watchmen Daily Journal)
Photo: Edward ?El Heneral? Heno (L) and Merlito ?Tiger? Sabillo are ready for today?s Oriental and Pacific Boxing Federation and? Asian Boxing Federation junior flyweight unification fight at the Gaisano City Mall in Bacolod City. (Mymy Alagaban Photo).
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