Sabillo, Melindo intensify training for world title tiffs

WBO minimumweight world champion Merlito ‘Tiger’ Sabillo has stepped up his preparations for his first title defense this July 13.

The undefeated Sabillo (21-0, 11 KOs) will face Jorle Estrada (17-6, 6 KOs) of Colombia at the Solaire Resort Hotel and Casino in Pasay City.

ALA gym trainer Edito Villamor told CDN that he has seen fight clips of Estrada showing the Colombian can fight inside and from a distance. He said that Sabillo should be in his best shape. He cautioned that Sabillo cannot afford to take the challenger for granted.

Sabillo had fierce exchanges with his sparring partners which included Philippine jr. flyweight champ Jerson Mancio at the ALA Gym last Tuesday.

Sabillo won the interim title in Colombia last March when he beat Luis dela Rosa by 8th round TKO and was recognized by the WBO as the regular world champion last April.

Estrada is ranked No. 6 in the May 2013 rankings of the WBO. He won the vacant South American minimumweight title last year by split decision over Jose Antonio Jimenez.

MILAN TRAINING HARD

Meanwhile, Milan ‘El Metodico’ Melindo continues to heat up in training for his world title challenge against WBO/WBA flyweight champion Juan Francisco ‘El Gallo’ Estrada of Mexico on July 27 in Macau.

The undefeated Melindo (29W-0L, 12 KOs) sparred with three undefeated boxers in an intense sparring session Tuesday afternoon at the ALA Gym.

OPBF superflyweight champion Arthur Villanueva, up and coming superflyweight Melvin Gumban and bantamweight Brian Lobitania engaged Melindo in fast paced exchanges of body and head combinations.

Melindo knows he needs to be in the best shape of his life against the resilient Estrada (23W-2L, 18 KOs) who is expected to rely on his punishing body punches.

Estrada made a name for himself when he dethroned Brian Viloria last April at the Cotai Arena in Macau.