Sabillo losses title in Rd.10; apologizes to his supporters
By Jerome S. Galunan Jr.
PhilBoxing.com
Mon, 24 Mar 2014
Sabillo.
Former Filipino boxing champion Merlito ?Tiger? Sabillo (23-1-1, 12KOs) of Bacolod City tasted the first defeat in his career after suffered a 10th round upset with 1:50 tick against newly-crowned WBO minimumweight champion Mexican Francisco Rodriguez Jr. (14-2, 10KOs) in yesterday?s clash at the Arena Monterrey, Monterrey, Nuevo Le?n in Mexico.
After being undefeated for many years, Sabillo?s record was stained by the much younger Rodriguez, sending the Negrense pride into the canvas in round two.
Sabillo, fought back in the successive rounds but, the hometown hero launched volume of punches unanswered.
In the tenth round, Rodriguez Jr. poured everything he has forcing Sabillo to lose his defensive stance as American referee Eddie Claudio stopped the fight.
?I apologized to my supporters. To my family and to everyone who believed in me as I failed to defend my title,? Sabillo said.
Sabillo admitted that Rodriguez got him first. ?He got me in the early round. I was totally surprised,? he said. ?And I really felt bad about it. It?s quite painful,? he added.
But, as a true champion, Sabillo remained spiritually strong. ?I will rise again and regain my title. I will train harder and be stronger when I return.?
?Everything has always a reason and God knows it,? Sabillo said.
For his stable mate, Bago City-hailed ?King? Arthur Villanueva, reigning WBO International Super Flyweight champion, ?he [Sabillo] shouldn?t be discourage of the loss. That?s the fight, sometimes we win and sometimes we lost. What?s important is that, we don?t loss our hope. Just get up and regain his title,? Villanueva encourages.
Meanwhile, Top Prime Stable manager Rev. Henry Guanzon said, ?let?s pray for him [Sabillo] that he won?t be discouraged. That?s boxing. Just train hard again,? Guanzon wished.
Bacolod City Mayor Monico Puentevella, yesterday stressed that Sabillo shouldn?t loss hope. ?Go for a rematch. But, not in Mexico. Losing is part of the contest. Just be strong.?
Earlier, Puentevella described that, it?s hard to fight in the enemy?s territory ? much more fighting in Mexico.
The 30-year-old Toboso-born Sabillo trained hard for months in San Diego, California before flying to Mexico for the fight. The dethroned titlist was joined in his corner by coach Edito Villamor and Michael Domingo.(WATCHMEN DAILY JOURNAL)
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