IBF CHAMP TAKAYAMA WANTS WBO CHAMP SABILLO
By Rene Bonsubre, Jr.
PhilBoxing.com
Sun, 14 Jul 2013
Sabillo (L) and Takayama.
PARA?AQUE CITY ? IBF minimumweight champion Katsunari Takayama of Japan was one of the spectators at ringside for Merlito Sabillo?s first title defense against Jorle Estrada of Colombia.
Sabillo (23-0, 12 KO?s) knocked out Estrada with a wicked liver shot in the 9th round to retain his WBO minimumweight world title. Minutes after the bout ended, Takayama spoke with this writer and said that he wants a unification fight with Sabillo.
?I want to fight him next,? Takayama said, ?IBF champion versus WBO champion.? Takayama (25-6-1, 10 KO?s) won the IBF title by beating Mario Rodriguez by unanimous decision last March in Mexico. He previously lost to Nkosinathi Joyi of South Africa in his first attempt to win the IBF belt. The 30 year old Takayama is also a former WBC and WBA interim champion in the 105 lb division. He signed a promotional contract with ALA Promotions in 2010.
?We will fight anyone,? ALA Gym patriarch Antonio Aldeguer told philboxing when asked for his opinion regarding the challenge from Takayama.
ALA Promotions Pres. And CEO Michael Aldeguer said that they are open to the possibility of matching the two boxers. ?This is why we want to continue signing good boxers to fight under ALA Promotions.?
ALA Gym trainer Edito Villamor is also setting his sights at the champion of the WBC, Xiong Zhao Zhong. But the Chinese could very well be headed into a rematch with Denver Cuello.
The possibilities are very bright for the 29 year old Sabillo. ALA Promotions provided Filipino boxing fans with another great show last Saturday at the Solaire Resort and Casino. This guarantees that the boxers fighting under the 'Pinoy Pride' brand will continue to enjoy name recall and recognition from the fans.
Click here to view a list of other articles written by Rene Bonsubre, Jr..
Recent PhilBoxing.com In-House articles:
Herlan Gomez, Jason Moloney Make Weight for WBC Australasia Bantamweight Battle in Australia
By Carlos Costa, Fri, 05 Dec 2025OLYMPIC BOXING 5: 1928 OLYMPICS AT AMSTERDAM, NETHERLANDS
By Maloney L. Samaco, Fri, 05 Dec 2025MONTE-CARLO SHOWDOWN VI PRESS CONFERENCE QUOTES
Fri, 05 Dec 2025Class of 2026 Announced in Canastota
Fri, 05 Dec 2025Thailand’s Niyomtrong “Knockout CPF” Decisions Junior Zárate, Becomes World Champion Again
By Carlos Costa, Fri, 05 Dec 2025WORLD RANKED FILIPINO BOXERS AS OF DECEMBER 2025 BY THE RING, WBC, WBA, IBF, AND WBO
By Maloney L. Samaco, Fri, 05 Dec 2025Shinard Bunch Takes on John Paul Magalong on Tuesday, January 13th at The UFC Gym North Brunswick in North Brunswick, NJ
Fri, 05 Dec 2025Severino and Mendoza win Blitz Asian Chess Championship for Players with Disabilities
By Marlon Bernardino, Fri, 05 Dec 2025Herlan Gomez Departs for Australia for Moloney Fight Saturday on DAZN
By Carlos Costa, Thu, 04 Dec 2025KENNETH LLOVER DEFENDS OPBF TITLE IN FOURTH FIGHT OF 2025
Thu, 04 Dec 2025Canoy, Mama, Into Contend in IBA Men’s World Boxing Championships in Dubai
By Lito delos Reyes, Thu, 04 Dec 2025CHAMPIONING MENTAL HEALTH 2: REMATCH SEASON FULL FIGHT CARD SET
Thu, 04 Dec 2025MERRY FISTMAS! World-Ranked KO Artist Ramon Cardenas Faces Erik Robles in ProBoxTV Main Event at War Memorial Auditorium in Fort Lauderdale, Thursday, December 18
Thu, 04 Dec 2025THE PAST WEEK IN ACTION 2 DECEMBER 2025: Kavaliauskas Wins by Split Decision Over Molina; Whittaker Stops Gavazi in 1; Malajika Wins by UD Over Paras
By Eric Armit, Wed, 03 Dec 2025WBC Strips Terence Crawford of Super Middle Title
By Gabriel F. Cordero, Wed, 03 Dec 2025