Heno defies home crowd, dethrones Sabillo at home
By Jerome S. Galunan Jr.
PhilBoxing.com
Sun, 18 Feb 2018
BACOLOD CITY -- Edward ?El Heneral? Heno remained undefeated ? now with 12 wins, 5 draws including 5 stoppages after beating former world champion Merlito ?Tiger? Sabillo (27 wins, 5 losses and a draw with 13 KOs) in his territory in Bacolod City over the weekend for the Oriental and Pacific Boxing Federation (OPBF) ? Asian Boxing Federation (ABF) junior flyweight unification titles for the Civil War ? Champion vs. Champion.
International judges Ferdinand Estrella and Lito delos Reyes favored the 25-year-old Heno: 119-109 and 118-110, respectively, to win via split decision as judge Romeo Sumalapao went for Sabillo, 116-112.
As the bell rang, Heno came out with full control of the fight as he landed a numerous combinations against the 34-year-old veteran Sabillo ? who has been in defensive stance most of the fight.
The young champion defied the home crowd cheers as he displayed his strength with solid straight punches that went through Sabillo?s defense while seemed unhurt of the Bacolodnon?s body shots.
Sabillo also tried to pick his old form in the middle of the fight but, he was only good for a round or two as Heno succeed to keep the former champion on distance with some height and reach advantages.
Despite seeing another defeat was coming in his career, Sabillo continued to give what was left in him and try to survive another gloomy moment in his profession. ?Heno is a good fighter, no question about it. I apologized to my fellow Negrense that I lost and failed them. Maybe, I was just too eager that I could not even throw my punches properly. I might also lack sparring exposure, with only John Michael Zulueta as my sparring-mate,? he said. ?Now, I have to take a little rest and get back to training while waiting for my manager and promoter?s next plan,? he added.
For Heno, it?s an honor to face a former world champion and to win over him was overwhelming. ?It was a tough fight. He [Sabillo] was a strong opponent. But, we just stuck on our gameplan. We can?t simply engage with him because he?s a dangerous fighter,? he said.
Heno?s camp stressed that they have studied Sabillo?s previous fights for almost 2 months. And, with 2 belts with Heno, the team are looking forward for a possible world title fight.
Meanwhile, in the main undercard, Calatrava-born and undefeated Zulueta (7wins, 2 draws and 3 KOs) knocked Ebonito Loperez of Davao City with 2:48 of Round 6 in the scheduled 8 rounds at 19 lbs.
On the other hand, one of the highlights of weekend?s boxing presentation by Highland International Boxing Promotion and Narish Singwancha Foundation was the fight between former International Boxing Federation light flyweight champion Rey Loreto of La Trinidad, Benguet, and former World Boxing Federation Asia Pacific light flyweight titlist Arnold Garde of Davao City.
A well-conditioned Loreto sent Garde 5 times into the canvas in span of four rounds ? which the Davao City fighter finally gave in in the fourth with 1:12 in the clock.
To his delight, Thai philanthropist Singwancha awarded Loreto a bonus incentive of Php 10,000.
Complete results: Benguet?s Ryan Lumacad won over Brian Diano of Cagayan de Oro after the latter fighter gave up before the start of the fifth round; while Bacolod?s Paolo Sy and Elmer Liboon of Murcia ended their with majority draw on scores: 57-57, 58-56 and 57-57.
The event was supervised by the Games and Amusement Board headed by Chairman Abraham Kahlil Mitra. (WATCHMEN DAILY JOURNAL)
Click here to view a list of other articles written by Jerome S. Galunan Jr..
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