Pinoy Pride XXI Sabillo excited to defend title before Filipino fans

CEBU, Philippines - WBO minimumweight champion Merlito ‘Tiger’ Sabillo (21-0, 11KOs) vows to score an impressive victory in his first title defense against Colombian challenger Jorle Jacinto Estrada (16-6, 5KOs) in the main event of ‘Pinoy Pride XXI: When Worlds Collide’ on July 13 at the Solaire Casino and Leisure Park in Pasay City.

Not only that he’s excited, he also yearns to make an impression before his countrymen that he’s looking for no less than a knockout victory.

This is Sabillo’s first defense of his belt after his masterful eight round technical knockout victory against Colombian Luis De La Rosa last March 9 at the Coliseo San Vicente in Colombia.

“I am happy and excited to defend my belt here in the Philippines,” said Sabillo who became ALA Gym’s second world champion in the same period of time. The other one is Sabillo's fellow Negrense in WBO light flyweight titlist Donnie "Ahas" Nietes. Sabillo comes from the town of Toboso in Negros Occidental, while Nietes hails from Murcia, just three kilometers away from Bacolod.

 â€œI am working hard on my training so that I can do my best to give them (Filipino fans) an impressive win.  As much as possible I will look for a way to knock him (Estrada) out.”

ALA Promotions President and CEO Michael Aldeguer is also ecstatic for Sabillo as this will be the 29-year old boxer's chance to show his boxing skills in front of the Filipino boxing fans.

“He is one of our remaining Filipino world champions right now and he has the ability to bring a new dimension in fighting.  Merlito is an exciting fighter and he has the style that boxing fans want to watch,” said Aldeguer in a press conference yesterday at the St.Mark Hotel.

In another attraction, unbeaten ALA prospect Arthur ‘El Matador’ Villanueva (21-0, 11KOs) will see action in the supporting main event as he guns for the WBO Asia Pacific super flyweight title against Mexican Arturo ‘Fuerte’ Badillo  (21-4, 19KOs).

Also, former world title challenger AJ ‘Bazooka’ Banal (28-2, 20KOs) is scheduled to make his comeback as he face Mexican Abraham ‘Cholo’ Gomez (18-7, 9KOs).

This is Banal’s first ring appearance since his devastating ninth round technical knockout loss against Thai Pungluang Sor Singyu for the vacant WBO bantamweight belt last October 20 at the SM Mall of Asia Arena. (FREEMAN)