Angel Acosta's Mandatory Title Defense is Now Postponed

By Miguel Rivera

An injury to Japanese challenger Ryuji Hara, combined with the ongoing visa problem from substitute Merlito Sabillo, has forced Miguel Cotto Promotions to postpone the scheduled mandatory defense of the 108-pound championship of the World Boxing Organization (WBO). 

Beltholder Angel "Tito" Acosta was originally scheduled to make his first defense on April 7 at the Coliseum of Puerto Rico, José Miguel Agrelot.

Miguel Cotto Promotions was prepared to make official today the clash between Acosta and Sabillo, but the problems of the latter to enter US territory, forced the postponement of the bout.

Hara, who has a record of 23-2 and 14KO's, is the first ranked opponent in the light flyweight division. Sabilo, who has a record of 27-4-1 and 13KO's, is in the twelfth position.

"Sabillo had problems obtaining a visa to enter the United States. It's a process that takes time, "said Bryan Perez, vice president of operations for Miguel Cotto Promotions, to Carlos Narvaez.

"Everything got complicated after Hara's injury, so we finally decided to cancel the fight, although we are sure that Tito will be making his first defense in the summer at the Coliseo de Puerto Rico in an exclusive DirecTV broadcast under the platform Noche de Champions."

Hara allegedly suffered an injury to one of his shoulders. Once he recovers, he could be the one to face Acosta.

"It could be Hara himself if he is recovered and he is discharged, because he is the mandatory challenger. Of course it could be another opponent as well," added Perez.

Acosta returns to the ring after conquering the 108-pound crown with a tenth round knockout of Mexico's Juan Alejo on December 2 at Madison Square Garden in New York.

The cancellation of Acosta's defense will not prevent the April 7 event from coming forward. And scheduled that evening is a fight between Janiel 'Pototo' Rivera (16-2-3 and 10KO's) and Mexico's Elwin Soto (7-1 and 5KO's), who will battler for the WBO Latin title at 105 pounds.