By Rey Danseco
 
Oriental and Pacific Boxing Federation (OPBF) light flyweight champion Juanito Rubillar has been down with flu-like symptoms, forcing the promoter of his title defense against Korean champion Byung-Joo Lee to re-schedule the “Tapatan sa Maynila” card on November 16 instead on Monday in Manila’s San Andres Gym.

Feeling weak and cold, Rubillar, complained of joints and body pain, was diagnosed of having Systemic viral illness.

Doctor Don Benjamin Serrano of Makati City, Manila advised the 30-year old champion to stay in “isolated bed rest” between three to five days.

“Hindi muna puwedeng magpapawis ang pasyente. Bed rest siya for three to five days,” said Serrano in interview yesterday.

Serrano allowed Rubillar to leave the hospital and rest at home in Sucat, Paranaque City.

While at rest, Rubillar was advised to increase oral fluid intake and take analgesics or pain relievers for his body pain.

Serrano assured promoter Gabriel “Bebot” Elorde that Rubillar will be ready for the weigh-in on Thursday but might not be in his 100 percent on the schedule 12-round contest.

The Korean also claimed that he was also suffered a cold until Thursday after he arrived in Manila from Seoul Wednesday.

“I need to acclimatize with the hot weather here,” said Lee, who promised to knock out Rubillar inside three rounds.

The native of Barangay Central in the town of Mati in Davao Oriental needs to win his second title defense to move closer to another WBC light flyweight title shot next year. WBC currently ranked Rubillar number three in the world.

The card also included the first non-title fights of WIBA Inter-Continental minimumweight queen Gretchen Abaniel and WBO Asia Pacific flyweight champ Drian “Little Espinosa” Francisco against separate foes.

Abaniel faces 17-year-old Thai fighter Lilly Rachaprachagym in 8-round while Francisco collide against compatriot Niño Suelo. There are eight other pairs of bouts in the card.