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..
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