FILE photo shows ABF President Naris Singwancha (extreme right) raising the hand of Merlito Sabillo for winning the ABF light flyweight title in Bacolod City last year. At left is referee Dan Nietes. (Below) OPBF light flyweight champion Edward Heno.

By LITO DELOS REYES

BACOLOD CITY – Reigning Oriental and Pacific Boxing Federation (OPBF) light flyweight champion Edward “El Heneral” Heno of Manila and Asian Boxing Federation (ABF) light flyweight king Merlito “Tiger” Sabillo of Bacolod will finally meet today in their official weigh-in set at 10:30 a.m. at Gaisano City Mall here.
They will be fighting for a 12-round championship fight in the main event of the “Civil War: Champion vs. Champion” boxing card promoted by Brico Santig of Highland International Boxing Promotions.
The 25-year old Heno (11W-0L-5D, 5 KOs) will be making his first title defense of the vacant crown he won via a 7th round technical knockout against Japanese Seita Ogido (11W-2L-3D) last September 10 at the University of the Ryukyus, Nakagami.
Sabillo (27W-4L-1D, 13 KOs) , on the other hand, is staking his ABF light flyweight crown also for the second time already.
The 34-year old native of Toboso, Negros Occidental previously retained his ABF crown via a unanimous decision against Crison Omayao last October 20 at the Barangay Granada covered court in Bacolod.
Also expected in a faceoff today are former IBO world light flyweight champion Rey “Hitman” Loreto of Davao City and former WBF Inernational Silver light flyweight champion Arnold “Destroyer” Garde of Pres. Roxas, North Cotabato.
They will be fighting for 8 rounds in a non-title main supporting bout.
“I am ready to face Loreto,” said Garde, who arrived yesterday together his brother Rodel of Limitless Gym in Davao.
Loreto, on the other hand, prepared for this fight at the Highland Boxing Gym in La Trinidad, Benguet for two months.
“I’ll show to them that I can still be a world champion,” said Loreto.
Amateur bouts will also be featured in the curtain raiser to spice up the free boxing promotion also supported by the Naris Singwancha Foundation.
The fights will start at 4 p.m.

About Author