Rubbilar's Body Damage Stops Nakajima
By Rey Danseco
OSAKA, Japan – Juanito Rubillar proved that he is worthy of another world title fight after he floored Ken Nakajima twice with body shots and finally scored a knockout win at the Nishinari Center.
Rubillar swung a crushing left hook punch into the ribs of the taller Osaka-native challenger, who was floored for the first time in the fight.
A right hook after Nakajima got to his feet sent the Japanese fighter down again and when Rubillar goes for another knockdown for the automatic stoppage, he lands a barrage of punches that staggered the sixth-ranked challenger.
Thai scoring-referee Sinchai Goonlawong, who works an OPBF title fight for the first time, jumped in and stopped the carnage at 2 minutes 42 seconds of the fifth round.
“Nakuha sa tiyaga at tapang kasi kung hindi ko titiisin ang tama ng suntok niya, hindi rin ako tatama,” said Rubillar, referring to his accomplishment of the strategy that his trainer-cornerman Roel Morata and manager Gabriel “Bebot” Elorde Jr. designed.
The scorecards of the three judges showed the fight was a draw after four rounds. Japanese judge Hisatoshi Miyazaki and this Filipino writer saw the fight in favor of their compatriots with an identical 39-37 tally. Goonlawong scored the bout even, 38-38.
The 30-year old Rubillar eyes his fifth title shot.
Games and Amusement Board (GAB) is looking to work for Rubillar’s shot against reigning World Boxing Council light flyweight champion Edgar Sosa in November during the 45th Annual WBC Convention in Manila. Sosa, the Mexican fighter who beat Brian Viloria for the vacant crown last April.
The Paranaque-trained native of Mati town in Davao Oriental improved to a 42-10-7 record with 19 knockouts. Nakajima dropped to 16-5, 10 KOs. The Team Rubillar will come home around 1:35 pm in Manila via Thai Airways.