Sabillo to dedicate fight to typhoon victims

WBO minimumweight champion Merlito “Tiger” Sabillo is dedicating his fight against Nicaraguan Carlos “Chocorroncito” Buitrago to those affected by supertyphoon “Yolanda” in the Visayas.

Sabillo, who sports a 23-0 (win-loss) record, spearheads one of the two title fights to be featured in the main event of the Pinoy Pride XXIII: Filipinos Kontra Latinos this Nov. 30 at the Smart Araneta Coliseum.

He will be defending his world title for the second time this year and he’ll be facing a tough foe in Buitrago, who is also unbeaten in 27 bouts (16 KOs).

”Pagpalig-on lang mo pirmi unya ampo lang pirmi kay naa ra jud mo abot nga tabang ninyo diha,” the Bacolod-native Sabillo said as he wrapped up his three-month training here in Cebu City under the supervision of veteran trainer Edito Villamor at the ALA Boxing Gym.

Sabillo, who won 12 of his bouts by knockout, said that his motivation for winning are the survivors of the typhoon. He said that in some way, his win may help lift the spirits and morale of those affected Filipinos. “Kaning among mga away sulod sa ring, para inyo ning tanan diha sa mga biktima sa bagyo. Akong buhaton tanan para mabangon ang pangalan sa Pilipinas.”

The other world title bout that will be featured will be the showdown between WBO lightflyweight champion Donnie “Ahas” Nietes (31-1-4,17KOs) and Mexican Sammy “Gutty” Gutierrez (33-9-2,23KOs).

Sabillo said he is feeling a little pressure because of the fact that Buitrago is an unbeaten boxer and that he is fighting in front of his home crowd. Nevertheless, the Filipino boxer said he is ready. “I respect him as an opponent and I will not take him for granted because he is unbeaten and his knockout percentage is very high. So I’ll be cautious in our fight.”

Sabillo first defended his title last July at the Solaire Resort and Casino against Colombian Jorle Estrada, where he won via a ninth round knockout. /CORRESPONDENT DALE G. ROSAL