IBF SANCTIONS RUBILLAR-SOLIS TITLE FIGHT
By Ronnie Nathanielsz
PhilBoxing.com
Wed, 20 Feb 2008
The International Boxing Federation or IBF has sanctioned the light flyweight title fight between the Philippines OPBF champion Juanito Rubillar and Mexico?s reigning world champion Ulises Solis.
The title fight is scheduled to take place on the undercard of the IBF/IBO flyweight championship battle between Nonito ?The Filipino Flash? Donaire and Australia?s Hussein Hussein in Dubai on April 18 promoted by the Third Force, a Filipino outfit with former Philippine Basketball Association Commissioner Noli Eala as point person.
IBF Championship Committee chairman Lindsey Tucker informed Viva Sports/Manila Standard Today that the organization had received the signed contracts from both Solis and Rubillar. He added ?the fight has been formally sanctioned by the IBF.?
Rubillar signed the contract last week in the presence of Games and Amusements Board chairman Eric Buhain and well-known boxing promoter/manager Sammy Gello-ani who represented matchmaker Samson Lewkowicz. It was Lewkowicz who helped negotiate the title fight to the chagrin of WBC secretary general Mauricio Sulaiman.
That's because the WBC had earlier mandated a title eliminator between Rubillar, its OPBF champion and former world champion Omar Nino but when negotiations between interested parties in the Philippines and Nino?s promoter Gary Shaw broke down, Rubillar?s handlers accepted the $25,000 tax free purse to fight Solis without waiting for a purse bid.
Rubillar who is managed by Arlene Elorde, wife of Gabriel ?Bebot? Elorde Jr has already begun training at the Bebot Elorde Gym in Saint Rita?s, Paranaque and said he is determined to win a world title on his fifth attempt.
The 30 year old southpaw has a record of 44-10-7, with 21 KO?s. Rubillar lost a unanimous decision to Zolani Petelo in an IBF minimum weight title fight in Britain on December 3, 1999. He then fought Mexican warrior Jorge Arce twice in Mexico with the first encounter on October 20, 2001 and the second on September 4, 2004. Rubillar lost both on points but the decision in their second title fight was considered controversial. Then he battled Thailand?s Wandee Singwancha for the interim title and dropped another twelve round decision on July 18, 2006 in Bangkok.
Solis who is 26 has a record of 26-1-2 with 20 knockouts including an 8th round TKO over Rodel Mayol on August 4 last year followed by a 9th round TKO over Bert Batawang on December 15.
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