Giovanni Segura Too Much For Juanito Rubillar
by Ronnie Nathanielsz
Perennial light flyweight title challenger Juanito Rubillar (46-13-7, 22 KO’s) a last minute replacement for, Sonny Boy Jaro (30-7-5, 19 KO’s) who failed to make it to Mexico because of a snafu over his transient visa, fought bravely but was no match for WBA champion Giovanni Segura (21-1-1, 17 KO’s) who was making his first defense of the title and lost by a 6th round technical knockout in Grand Mayan, Nuevo Vallarta, Mexico in a fight telecast in the Philippines by Solar Sports.ive.
It was clear, despite claims that he was training in Los Angeles by his handler Gabriel “Bebot” Elorde, the 31 year old southpaw was not in top fighting shape and looked weary after having to shed one pound to make the weight.
The result may well have been entirely different if Jaro made it for the fight because his punching power would have given the often wide-open Segura trouble. Even though Rubillar caught him with some good shots in the first round and a couple of times later on, he doesn’t have the power of Jaro which could have made all the difference.
Rubillar with former world flyweight champion Erbito Salavarria in his corner along with Michael Koncz was given credit f or stepping in at the last minute for the hard-hitting Jaro who lost the opportunity for a second crack at the world title..
Jaro earlier lost a twelve round unanimous decision to WBC champion Edgar Sosa after dropping him in the 9th round but failing to put him away on September 27, 2008.
Contacted by BoxingScene.com, insidesports.ph, Standard Today and Viva Sports, Filipino boxing icon Manny Pacquiao’s adviser Michael Koncz said “I have no comment with regards to the visa because I don’t wish to discuss personal business in the press.” At the same time “I wish Sonny Boy Jaro was here and had a chance to fight . But he doesn’t and now it’s a great opportunity for Rubillar.”
Rubillar who also lost to Sosa by a 7th round TKO on November 29, 2008 was one pound overweight at the weigh-in but tipped the scales at 108 pounds after one hour. Rubillar himself told us he was in condition to fight and had been training in Los Angeles and hoped he could capitalize on the lucky break.
But after taking the opening round with a couple of good lefts Segura waded in and caught the Filipino with a number of body shots and big rights that saw Rubillar holding time and again and being warned by referee Luis Pabon who also warned him for head-
Segura decked Rubillar twice and although the challenger’s gloves touched the canvas which meant an automatic knockdown, the referee didn’t call it giving Rubillar somewhat of a break.
Rubillar’s best shot was a looping right hand he threw after the bell in round five but that was a last gasp effort as Rubillar’s corner sensing their fighter had no chance and in order to prevent him from absorbing more punishment even though he was still fighting gamely but hopelessly, the corner wisely threw in the towel at 2:04 of the sixth round.
The result meant that it was almost certainly Rubillar’s last crack at a world title. He fought Mexican warrior Jorge “Travieso” Arce twice, once for the WBC Interim title and in a rematch for the title and lost by decision. He also lost to Thailand’s Wandee Singwancha in an interim title fight.