IT PROMISES TO BE A NIGHT OF KNOCKOUTS AT SOLAIRE
By Ronnie Nathanielsz
PhilBoxing.com
Thu, 11 Jul 2013
If the predictions of the fighters on ALA Promotions highly successful "Pinoy Pride" series to be held at the classy Solaire Resort and Casino in the "Entertainment City" along Manila Bay is any gauge, then the first venture at the plush venue promises to be a night of knockouts.
Undefeated WBO minimum weight champion Merlito "Tiger" Sabillo who has a record of 22-0 with 11 knockouts isn't fazed by the predictions of Colombian challenger Jorlie Estrada who told a well-attended press conference at the Grand Ballroom of the high-end venue ?I trained for three months for this fight. I sparred with boxers who can mimic his (Sabillo's) style" even as he reiterated his prediction to win by a knockout and picked round seven as the end for the Filipino world champion.
Estrada who has a record of 17-6 with 6 knockouts, said he is in the Philippines, determined to avenge the loss of his countryman Luis De La Rosa and to take the title back to Colombia.
For the 29 year old Sabillo, a former street fighter, headlining "Pinoy Pride XXI" is the pinnacle of his career so far and he is determined to retain his coveted world title with an explosive performance.
While not being anywhere near as cocky as Estrada, Sabillo appeared to be sharp and ready to wage war with trainer
Edito "Ala" Villamor maintaining that Sabillo who won the title with a stunning 8th round TKO over the fancied De La Rosa after dropping the Colombian twice would do the same to Estrada and make sure he kisses the canvas.
Sabillo admitted that he was "excited and a little tense to be fighting for the first time in Manila" and revealed that while
he couldn't recall how many rounds he had sparred in training he had trained hard and had "sparred for twelve straight rounds
twice already. If the knockout presents itself, then I will take it.?
In the main supporting bout for the WBO Asia Pacific super flyweight title that may well steal the thunder from the Sabillo-Estrada clash, unbeaten OPBF champion "King" Arthur Villanueva (21-0, 11 KO's) will battle Mexico's Arturo Badillo, a devastating puncher with a record of 19 knockouts in 21 wins with 4 losses against top caliber opponents.
Villanueva is coming off terrific performances against Japan's Taiki Eto from whom he won the title and Marco Demecillo,
an outstanding fighter from the Rex "Wakee" Salud stable.
In the Eto fight, Villanueva was dropped twice, once in the first and once more in the ninth round with Eto himself being
sent to the canvas in round four. But Villanueva fought off the knockdowns and out-fought Ito to win by decision.
In his first title defense against the rugged and previously undefeated Demecillo, Villanueva put on a royal performance that
had boxing aficionados spellbound in another twelve round unanimous decision.
The fights will be telecast over ABS-CBN Channel 2 at 10:15 a.m. on Sunday with a replay over Studio 23 at 9:00 p.m. and aired live on The Filipino Channel which has a huge following particularly in the Middle East. It will also be beamed via satellite to Mexico and the United States.
ALA Promotions president Michael Aldeguer and ABS-CBN VP for sports Peter Musngi spoke of a shared to produce the next generation of Filipino world champions in their recently signed ten-year partnership which is also committed to bring big time fight cards to the growing number of casinos in the Philippines and hope to set the stage to compete with venues like the Venetian in Macau and the Sands in Singapore and to make Manila the epicenter of boxing.
WBO Asia-Pacific vice president Leon Panoncillo stressed his organization?s desire to give talented and deserving boxers
a chance to compete for world rankings and world titles.
Photo: Merlito Sabillo (C) acknowledges the crowd during Thursday's presscon at Solaire Resort Hotel & Casino. To his right is Arthur Villanueva while AJ Banal's poster image is to Sabillo's left. The three promise an evening of knockouts when they tangle with their visiting opponents on Saturday. Photo by Dong Secuya.
Click here to view a list of other articles written by Ronnie Nathanielsz.
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