SABILLO-BUITRAGO TITLE CLASH IN DUBAI
By Dong Secuya
PhilBoxing.com
Fri, 30 Aug 2013
BUDAPEST ? After the 'Clash in Cotai' on Nov. 24 between the Philippines' Manny Pacquiao vs Brandon Rios, brace for the 'Clash in Dubai' on Nov. 29 between undefeated WBO minimumweight world champion Merlito Sabillo of the Philippines and likewise undefeatred challenger Carlos Buitrago of Nicaragua, the deal has been sealed here between Sabillo's handler ALA Promotions president Michael Aldeguer and Buitrago's representative Ricardo Rizo.
?We already have the venue and the date in Dubai, we are now working to finalize everything,? ALA Promotions vice-president Dennis Canete told Philboxing.
The 29-year-old Sabillo (23-0-0, 12KO) won the title in an interim capacity by knocking out Columbia's Luis de la Rosa in the 8th round last March in Cerete, Columbia. Sabillo was awarded full title recognition after then reigning WBO minimulmweight champion Moises Fuentes gave up the title to campaign in the higher 108-pound division. Sabillo successfully defended the title once last month at the Solaire Casino in Manila by dispatching Jorle Estrada, also of Columbia, in the 9th round.
Meanwhile undefeated Nicaraguan Carlos Buitrago (27-0-0, 16KO) fought another undefeated Mexican Julian Yedras last month, July 20, in Yucatan, Mexico, for the right to challenge Sabillo. Buitrago defeated Yedras via 12-round unanimous decision.
The battle between two undefeated warrios in Sabillo and Buitrago promises to create fireworks in Dubai, selected as a site by ALA Promotions to showcase its Pinoy Pride series for its large oversea Filipino community and consistent top network ratings thru ABS-CBN.
Canete also informed that they might include their other world champion in the card, Donnie Nietes, to make a voluntary defense, and make the event a double-world championship fight. Nietes is currently waiting for his next assignment after sustaining an injury during his last bout against Mexico's Moises Fuentes. Nietes and Fuentes are set to do a rematch which most likely will be happening early next year, according to Canete.
Meanwhile ALA Promotions president Michael Aldeguer (top photo) has been awarded by the WBO as the International Promoter of the Year during Thursday night's gala where convention participants were treated with Latino music and first class Hungarian cuisine on a mountain top restaurant overlooking the beautiful city of Budapest. Republic of Budapest president J?nos ?der graced the occasion.
WBO President Francisco 'Paco' Valcarcel awards a ring to WBO middleweight champion Christina Hammer.
Hungarian president J?nos ?der signs a boxing glove as promoter Don King (L), WBO President Francisco 'Paco' Valcarcel (standing) and WBO Vice-President Istvan 'Koko' Kovacs (seated, right) look on during the Gala Night of the WBO 26th Annual Convention in Budapest.
Photos by Dong Secuya.
Click here to view a list of other articles written by Dong Secuya.
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