WORLD CHAMPIONSHIP IN MEXICO: FILIPINO CHALLENGER TOLD TO STAY IN FRONT OF WBC CHAMP
By Alex P. Vidal
PhilBoxing.com
Sat, 13 Sep 2008
The trainer of world championship mandatory challenger Juanito Rubillar (46-10, 22 KOs) has cautioned compatriot Sonny Boy Jaro (28-6, 17 KOs) to always stay in front of Edgar Sosa (32-5, 17 KOs) when the two clash for Sosa's World Boxing Council (WBC) light flyweight title for 12 rounds at the Arena Mexico in Mexico City on September 27.
"Kailangan focus sia palagi at huwag niyang iwanan kasi mabilis ang reflection ni Sosa," warned Ruel Morata, one of the fast-raising trainers in the country today.
Morata, who worked in the corner of Rubillar when Rubillar humbled former world champion Omar Nino (25-3, 11 KOs) in a 12-round world title fight eliminator in Mexico last June, said if Sosa will stay away from Jaro, the Filipino challenger should pursue the Mexican champion aggressively "dahil magaling pumuwesto yun; naka balanse palagi."
"Kailangan huwag siyang magbigay ng respeto kay Sosa," added Morata, one of the most trusted trainers of international promoter and manager Gabriel "Bebot" Elorde Jr.
Morata is also expected to act as cornerman together with Elorde when Rubillar fights the winner of the Sosa-Jaro duel. The WBC had earlier ordered Sosa to defend his title aganst Rubillar, the world's top-ranked light flyweight contender. Somewhere along the way, however, it was Jaro's name that surfaced as next challenger.
Aljoe Jaro, the boxer's manager and cousin, said it was WBC executive secretary Mauricio Sulaiman, son of WBC president Jose, who gave his boxer the title shot. The father Sulaiman described Sonny Boy Jaro as "a dangerous opponent" for Sosa, who won the title by edging Filipino-Hawaiian Brian Villoria.
If Sosa will repluse Jaro and will face the 31-year-old Rubillar next, Morata said he is confident that his ward will beat Sosa although he is not sure if it will be by knockout or decision.
Meanwhile, Aljoe Jaro said they will go for a knockout win to ensure that when they go home, the WBC 108-lb belt is strapped around Sonny Boy's waist, although he was assured by Sulaiman that the WBC would appoint three neutral judges.
They plan to pressure Sosa from the opening bell to force him to fire back and engage the Filipino visitor in a toe-to-toe brawl. "We will limit his (Sosa's) running. We will go to Mexico to fight, not to chase someone," said the manager who once held former world champion Jose Luis Bueno in a draw when he was still a prizefighter in Japan.
Aljoe Jaro revealed that his boy is ferocious in inside fighting thus they are making sure he has enough gas in his arsenal. Fellow manager and associate Chad Colocado said Sonny Boy could last even for 15 rounds.
"I have seen him train in Binanongan (a town in Rizal province) and it seems he is preparing for a marathon. I think he is prepared even if the fight will last for 15 rounds," Colocado said.
"We won't reveal our weapon as of now, but Sonny Boy is ready to rumble," said Aljoe Jaro, whose other protege, North American Boxing Federation (NABF) super bantamweight champion Bernabe Concepcion (26-1, 15 KOs), will also fight Giovannie Caro (11-4, 9 KOs, 2 draws) on the same day in a 10-round non-title tiff in San Diego, California.
Top photo: Morata and David Diaz in Santa Monica, California. Photo by Alex P. Vidal.
Click here to view a list of other articles written by Alex P. Vidal.
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