Juanito Rubillar Prepares For Ulises Solis Shot

By Rey Danseco
 
WORLD rated fighter Juanito Rubillar is set to resume his preparations for another title shot in May when he makes a tough homecoming tune-up fight against a Thai import on April 26 at State College Gym in Mati City, a Davao Oriental province in southern Philippines.

A native of Barangay Central in Mati, Rubillar recently relinquished his OPBF light flyweight title that resulted in losing his No. 2 ranking and the chance for a crack at the WBC at 108-pounds after he signed a contract to face IBF light flyweight champion Ulises Solis of Mexico.

But Rubillar’s hope was temporarily up in the air when new boxing promoter, Noli Eala, the former PBA Commissioner, cancelled the April 18 card in Dubai where Rubillar-Solis fight was set to be a part of the triple-header. The other fights would have see title defenses by IBF/IBO flyweight champ Nonito Donaire and WBO minimumweight king Donnie Nietes.

Rubillar remains one of the country’s top prospects to become a world champion ar light flyweight class, along with WBO No. 2 Rexon “Pison” Flores. Rubillar is currently ranked No. 9 by the WBA and No. 12 by IBF.

The 31-year old southpaw made two title defenses of his OPBF title, both by fifth round knockouts against Japanese Ken Nakajima in Osaka and Korean fighter Byung-Joo Lee in Manila, before he relinquished the belt in February.

“Juanito is in a must-win situation against his Thai opponent next month, or else his last chance for a world title shot will be pre-empted,” said Rubillar’s promoter, Gabriel “Bebot” Elorde Jr., referring to Rubillar's rescheduled crack at Solis on May 17 in Aguascalientes, Mexico.

Rubillar promised to prepare hard for his next two fights.

“This will be my first fight in front of my townmates and I will assure that they will be impressed in my performance,” said Rubillar, who is the only two-time WBC International champion and fought four times in world championship fights.

For giving his chance to make his homecoming fight, Rubillar thanked Mayor Michele Rabat of Mati City and provincial board member Eric Rabat, the daughter and son of former Davao Oriental governor and Mati Mayor Francisco "Paking" Rabat.

Elorde said, should Rubillar win his scheduled 10-round non-title fight, he may regain his ranking with WBC, and possibly the right to see action in a final eliminator.

“I’ve already asked the WBC (president Jose Sulaiman) to position Rubillar again in their rankings,” said Elorde, who also talked to WBC rankings committee chairman/OPBF president, Frank Quill of Australia, during the 8th Annual Elorde Awards Night at the Manila Hotel on Tuesday night.