SABILLO TO FIGHT FOR VACANT OPBF MINIMUMWEIGHT TITLE IN JAPAN

Merlito “Tiger” Sabillo (left) and Ryuya Yamanaka

By LITO DELOS REYES

FORMER WBO World minimumweight champion Merlito “Tiger” Sabillo of Bacolod City will fight against Japanese Ryuya Yamanaka for the vacant Oriental Pacific Boxing Federation (OPBF) minimumweight title on November 11 at the Central Gym in Kobe, Hyogo, Japan.

Sabillo, who is now training at the Highland Boxing Gym in La Trinidad, Benguet has a record of 25 wins with 12 knockouts against only three losses and one draw.

Yamanaka has 12 wins, two losses and no draw with three KOs.

The 32-year old Sabillo previously dropped a controversial split decision against another Japanese Riku Kano (9-1-1) in their battle for the interim OPBF minimumweight crown last May 8 at the Bunka Center in Sanda, Hyogo, Japan.

Sabillo, also a former OPBF minimumweight title-holder, last won by a unanimous decision against Jack Amisa on November 29 at the La Trinidad Gym.

Yamanaka, on the other hand, has won all his last five fights. He previously scored a 3^rd round technical knockout win against Thoedkiad Weerachon of Thailand last May 16 at the Central Gym.

Yamanaka, 21, has already fought against two Filipino boxers – Roque Lauro and Ronelle Ferreras both in Japan.

He first lost by a split decision to Lauro in 2014 but won by a UD over Ferreras in 2015.

“Yamanaka is younger but Sabillo has the experience,” said international promoter Brico Santig of Highland International Promotions.

Sabillo, a southpaw captured the interim WBO World minimumweight title by a TKO against Luis dela Rosa last March 9, 2013 at the Coliseo Mario de León in Cerete, Colombia.

Sabillo won the WBO World minimumweight crown via a knockout win against another Columbian Jorle Estrada on July 13, 2013 at the Solaire Resort Hotel and Casino in Pasay City.

He retained it only by a split draw against undefeated Nicaraguan Carlos Buitrago on November 30, 2013 at the Araneta Coliseum. Sabillo was finally dethroned by Mexican Francisco Rodriguez Jr. by a 10^th round TKO on March 22, 2014 in Mexico.

Sabillo also suffered his second setback by a shocking 4^th round TKO against Indonesian Ellias Nggenggo on November 15, 2014 at the Cebu City Waterfront Hotel & Casino.

After two successive defeats, Sabillo decided to hang up his gloves and left the ALA Boxing Gym. He went home to Bacolod. But after more than six months, Sabillo made a comeback to beat Powell Balaba by a UD at the L’Fisher Hotel in Bacolod on June 12, 2015.

Sabillo regained his confidence and continued his winning form by scoring a UD against Amisa in November.

“Puede pang mag world champion yan si Sabillo. Kapag manalo siya, my chance siyang makabalik,” said Santig.

The Sabillo-Yamanaka title-fight is one of the four OPBF championships featured in just one boxing event to be presented by promoter MasatoYamashita of Sheinsei Promotions.

It will also feature OPBF lightweight king Masayoshi Nakatani against Filipino challenger Allan “The Leopard” Tanada, OPBF bantamweight champion Takahiro Yamamoto against Mark John “Probinsiyanong Intsik” Yap of the Philippines and OPBF super bantamweight champion Shun Kubo against Jin Wook Lim.