Worlds collide tonight

Paranaque City, Manila—- WBO World Minimumweight champion Merlito “The Tiger” Sabillo Jr. and challenger Jorle Estrada of Colombia easily passed the test of the scales yesterday during the official weigh-in for tonight’s ‘Pinoy Pride XXI: When Worlds Collide’ at the Solaire Resort and Casino, here.

Sabillo (22-0, 11KOs) tipped the scales at 104 pounds, a pound lighter than the division limit while Estrada (17-6, 6KOs) weighed 103 lbs.

Sabillo said that he will be the aggressor in this fight since Estrada is known as a distant fighter who throws jabs while back pedalling. “When I see an opening, that would be the perfect time to knock-out Estrada,” said the 29 year-old Sabillo of Bacolod City.

Sabillo however, admitted that he felt pressured for being the main fighter for the first time in his career. But he vowed to fight until the very last round to bring honor to the country.

Sabillo’s trainer Edmund Villamor is confident his ward will win against the Colombian saying their preparartion for this fight is more intense than when Sabillo snatched the world title in Colombia against Luis Dela Rosa via an eighth round TKO.

DESTINED TO BE CHAMPION

ALA Boxing gym founder Antonio Aldeguer believed that Sabillo is destined to be a world champion.

Aldeguer revealed that ALA Boxing Promotions had to choose between the IBO and WBO offers for a world title bout for Sabillo scheduled a month apart. ALA picked the WBO world offer to give Sabillo enough time to prepare and recover from an injury.

“It was unplanned because he was injured, and mentally Sabillo was not prepared at that time because his mother died months before the IBO and the WBO offers came,” said Aldeguer.

Sabillo’s companions were reportedly anxious when they arrived in Colombia for the dela Rosa fight except Sabillo who remained calm, revealed Aldeguer.

“It’s really destined that Sabillo would become a world champion. Number one, he is very down-to-earth, two, he is very dedicated to train and three, his heart and will are just very strong,” added Aldeguer.

THE KING EXPECTS EASY WIN

Meanwhile, WBO Asia Pacific Superflyweight champion “King” Arthur Villanueva (22-0,12KOs) expects an easy win over Mexican Arturo “Fuerte” Badillo(21-4,19KOs) in the co-main event.

Villanueva who will defend his WBO AsPac superflyweight belt weighed in at 114lbs while Badillo had to shed off a pound to meet the 115lbs division limit.

Villanueva said Badillo fights like Marco Demecillo whom he defeated last April in Davao to clinch the OPBF superflyweight title.

The Villanueva-Badillo fight is set for 12 rounds.

Comebacking AJ ‘Bazooka’ Banal and Abraham ‘Cholo’ Gomez both weighed 122 lbs. Banal said he is hungry for a victory.

“I feel very good and ready to fight,” Banal disclosed.

Meanwhile, ALA’s three rising prospects also made weight.

‘Prince’ Albert Pagara weighed in at 121 lbs while his foe Thai TuKhunkiri Wor Wisaruth came in at 121.5 lbs for their 8-round battle.

Boholano Jessel Mark ‘Magnifico’ Magsayo and Jamjam Ungon both tipped the scales at 122lbs while ALA’s latest recruit Vic “Vicious” Saludar III weighed 107lbs while his opponent Juanito Hundante came in at 105lbs for their four-round clash.