RUBILLAR ILL, OPBF TITLE DEFENSE POSTPONED
By Ronnie Nathanielsz
PhilBoxing.com
Sun, 11 Nov 2007
OPBF light flyweight champion Juanito Rubillar?s mandatory title defense against South Korean champion Byung Joo Lee which was scheduled to take place on November 12 has been postponed for Friday. November 16 at the San Andres Sports Center.
Rubillar?s manager Gabriel ?Bebot? Elorde said Rubillar got wet during a heavy downpour after a courtesy call on Manila Mayor Alfredo Lim and was down with a cough and cold and body aches which prompted Dr. Benjamin Serrano to prescribe three days of bed rest.
Elorde said he was assured by Dr. Serrano that Rubillar would be ready for the official weigh-in on Thursday. However, there were boxing people who expressed concern over whether Rubillar would be one hundred percent fit to fight on Friday.
Korean challenger Lee, obviously got a confidence boost following reports of Rubillar?s illness and predicted he would not only win the OPBF title but do so by a knockout within three rounds.
The No.1 ranked OPBF light flyweight has a record of 8-3 with 2 knockouts. He is an orthodox fighter who stands 5?5? and is 24 years old. Lee won the vacant Korean light flyweight title with a fourth round knockout over Yong Suk In last February 6 and successfully defended the crown with a unanimous ten round decision over Hak Sun Choi on April 28.
The veteran southpaw Rubillar is 30 years old and has a record of 40-10-7 with 18 knockouts. Rubillar who is managed by Gabriel ?Bebot? Elorde won the vacant OPBF title with a seventh round TKO over tough Indonesian Irfan Ogah who had a record of 16-1-4 with 7 knockouts.
Rubillar scored a smashing fifth round knockout over Japan?s Ken Nakajima on June 24 this year, sending the Japanese into retirement.In his last fight on September 15, Rubillar scored a second round knockout over Philippine No. 10 Arnel Tadena. Rubillar is currently rated No. 3 by the WBC.
Click here to view a list of other articles written by Ronnie Nathanielsz.
Recent PhilBoxing.com In-House articles:
Sumalinog Brothers Score Wins in Bohol; Sign with Monty Flores (PHOTOS)
By Carlos Costa, Thu, 05 Feb 2026MANNY PACQUIAO PROMOTIONS ANNOUNCES AGREEMENT WITH TEAM BOXING LEAGUE
Thu, 05 Feb 2026Trifon Petrov unveils the signing of another USA Team member in Ariana Carrasco
Thu, 05 Feb 2026Jerome Gonzales off to a marvelous start in J&P 10 Ball Cup at Pacman's Cue Club
By Marlon Bernardino, Thu, 05 Feb 2026DCL amateur MMA on Feb. 21 at Sta. Lucia Mall
By Lito delos Reyes, Thu, 05 Feb 2026THE PAST WEEK IN ACTION 3 FEBRUARY 2026: Shakur Schools Teofimo to Become 4-Division Champ; Zayas Unifies WBA/WBO Superwelter; Kelly Beats Murtazaliev
By Eric Armit, Wed, 04 Feb 2026Round 12 with Mauricio Sulaimán: A Grand Week for Boxing in NY
By Mauricio Sulaimán, Wed, 04 Feb 2026Boxlab Promotions Euri Cedeno and Carlos De Leon Castro Shine in San Juan Victories
Wed, 04 Feb 2026National Boxing Hall of Fame 2026 is set to April 26 in Montebello, California
By Gabriel F. Cordero, Wed, 04 Feb 2026Vito Mielnicki Jr. Returns Home to Defend WBC USA, IBF USBA and WBO Global Middleweight Championships Against Omar Ulises Huerta
Wed, 04 Feb 2026Noah Lucas Palcis sees action in Bangkok chess meet
By Marlon Bernardino, Wed, 04 Feb 2026Reymond Yanong Edges Out Hayato Ono for Split Decision Win in Japan
By Carlos Costa, Tue, 03 Feb 2026“I’m gonna smoke whoever is in front of me, Anthony Wright- Hearn makes his pro debut March 13 at Thunderdome 53
Tue, 03 Feb 2026Pacman's Cue Club Hosts J&P 10 Ball Cup from Feb. 4 to 7
By Marlon Bernardino, Tue, 03 Feb 2026Mt. Apo Boulder Face Challenge is back
By Lito delos Reyes, Tue, 03 Feb 2026