by Ronnie Nathanielsz
WBO minimumweight champion Merlito “Tiger” Sabillo is winding down sparring this week for his first title defense against Colombian challenger Jorlie Estrada at the Solaire Resort Hotel and Casino in the Philippines “Entertainment City” along Manila Bay.
Trainer Edito “Ala” Villamor, himself a former world title challenger, said Sabillo sparred four rounds against amateur standout Jesrey Waminal on Tuesday and “looked really good, moved well and is really ready” for the title defense in which he wants to put on an explosive performance to please fight fans at the plush Solaire which is bidding to keep pace with similar entertainment venues in Macau and Singapore.
Sabillo is known f or his punching power which was evident when he dropped highly-touted Luis De La Rosa also of Colombia twice, in an Interim title fight last March in Colombia en route to an 8th round TKO victory.
Villamor said sparring with Waminal was aimed at "improving Merlito's speed and skills and it showed in his workout on Tuesday." He will have his last two sparring sessions on Thursday and Saturday.
Sabillo has also been sparring with Philippine champion Jerson Mancio and OPBF champion Arthur Villanueva.
The undefeated Villanueva (21-0, 11 KO’s) will also see action on “Pinoy Pride XXI” against hard-hitting Mexican Arturo Badillo (21-4, 19 KO’s) in a clash for the vacant WBO Asia Pacific super flyweight title in a fight card to be telecastover ABS-CBN Channel 2 on Sunday, July 14 at 10:15 a.m. as well as on The Filipino Channel which has a large following particularly in the Middle East.
