MANILA– IBF minimumweight champion Katsunari Takayama of Japan was an interested spectator at ringside during Merlito Sabillo’s first title defense against Jorle Estrada of Colombia.
Sabillo knocked out Estrada with a vicious liver shot in the ninth round to retain his WBO minimumweight world title.
Minutes after the bout ended, Takayama spoke with Cebu Daily News and said he wants a unification fight with Sabillo.
“I want to fight him next,” Takayama said. “IBF champion versus WBO champion.”
Takayama (25-6-1, 10 KOs) won the IBF title by beating Mario Rodriguez via unanimous decision last March in Mexico.
He previously lost to Nkosinathi Joyi of South Africa in his first attempt to win the IBF belt.
The 30-year-old Takayama is also a former WBC and WBA interim champion in the 105-pound division. He signed a promotional contract with ALA Promotions in 2010.
“We will fight anyone,” ALA Gym patriarch Antonio Aldeguer told CDN when asked for his opinion regarding the challenge from Takayama.
ALA Promotions Pres and CEO Michael Aldeguer said they are open to the possibility of matching the two boxers.
“This is why we want to continue signing good boxers to fight under ALA Promotions.”
ALA Gym trainer Edito Villamor said another possibility is a unification bout against the champion of the WBC, Xiong Zhao Zhong of China.
Takayama first reigned as world champion in 2005 when he beat Isaac Bustos of Mexico by unanimous decision for the WBC minimumweight title. He lost in his first defense by unanimous decision to Eagle Den Junlaphan of Thailand. /Correspondent Rene Bonsubre, Jr.