Sabillo to defend WBO belt against Mexican

MANILA, Philippines - Merlito Sabillo, one of only three remaining Filipino world champions, will stake his WBO minimumweight title against Francisco Rodriguez in Mexico City.

The fight scheduled for 12 rounds will take place at the Arena Monterrey in Nuevo Leon, Mexico.

The 30-year-old Filipino, who remains undefeated in 23 fights, is behind enemy lines.

Sabillo has only fought once outside the Philippines. It was in March last year when he knocked out Luis dela Rosa inside eight rounds in Cerete, Colombia.

The victory over Dela Rosa gave Sabillo the interim title. And shortly after, he was named the WBO champion after Moises Fuentes vacated the title to move up in weight.

This will be the third title defense for Sabillo, who knows it’s not going to be easy.

 â€œOf course, we’re not taking chances. Malakas din si Rodriguez,” said ALA Promotions vice president Dennis Canete.

Sabillo arrived in Mexico last Wednesday with trainer Edito Villamor and Canete. He spent more than a month of training in San Diego, California.

The match will be shown live on Sunday morning over ABS-CBN.

“It’s a chance for Sabillo to prove himself after his fight against Carlos Buitrago,” said Canete in a text message from Mexico.

The native of Toboso, Negros Occidental fought three times last year, the last in November when he settled for a split decision against Nicaragua’s Carlos Buitrago at the Araneta Coliseum.

Aside from Sabillo, the only remaining Filipino world champions are WBO light-flyweight king Donnie Nietes and IBF light-flyweight champion John Riel Casimero.