Rubillar Arrives in Japan, Ready To Defend

By Rey Danseco
 
OSAKA,　Japan – Oriental and Pacific Boxing Federation (OPBF) light flyweight champion Juanito Rubillar went through an arrogant officer of Philippine Bureau of Immigration in Manila before reaching this city late Thursday night.

Immigration Inspector Roel Reyes tried to prevent Rubillar from his scheduled flight and also his obligation to defend the title in voluntary defense against No. 6 contender Ken Nakajima at Nishinari Ward in Osaka , Japan on June 24.

Reyes asked the 4-man team, which included his manager Gabriel “Bebot” Elorde Jr., and trainers Roel Morata and Nestor Elorde, to show an exit clearance like what the Philippine Overseas Employment Administration (POEA) issues to the overseas Filipino workers. 

Working in the industry in almost 20 years, Elorde explained that it is not the usual practice and suggested to verify to the Games and Amusement Board (GAB) their letter of authority for travel abroad, a document that Japanese Embassy in Manila had based in issuance of visa within four working days to Team Rubillar last Wednesday.

Reyes, at the top of his voice, claimed that it is not part of their job and said,”don’t tell me what to do.”

“We’re just telling you that we have documents from the Games and Amusement Board. We’re passenger here please be courteous,” replied Elorde, who was asked by Reyes to a fist-fight.

Airline Supervisor Ed Maderazo, brother of ABS-CBN executive producer Jake Maderazo, mediated and immediately corrected Reyes’s actuations and honored the GAB’s authority as well as the visa from Japanese Embassy and let the Team Rubillar boarded the Thai Airways.

LONG TRIP

From the Kansai International Airport in Osaka past 8 pm (7 pm in Manila), Nakajima’s Japanese trainer Takashi “Kamikaze” Inoue, former middleweight fighter, fetched the Team Rubillar and guided them in a longer trip via a complicated-two-hour, four-ride railway lines via Tengachaya instead of a 55-minute, two-transfer route through Japanese Railway (JR) in Tanimachi Line of Osaka Municipal Subway.

After his arrivals at Tanimachi-4chome station in Chuo Ward’s Tanimachi subway lines, Rubillar got tired and immediately retired in bed of the ¥8,400-per room (3,100 pesos) Toyoko Inn in Chuo-ku, Osaka City.

“Rubillar was tired in a long walk going here. But it’s okay, that practice (by the opponent) is normal (in boxing),” said Elorde.

Rubillar jogged 45 minutes in the morning yesterday within Chuo-ku before the rain poured all day long. He stayed in his room that he shares with Morata in preparations for the weigh-in today at the Japanese Boxing Commission (JBC) offices in Kansai Ward here.

“Juanito will make a weight easily,” said Elorde.

Rubillar, WBC No. 4 contender and a former four-time world title challenger, is looking for a knockout win inside seven rounds.

However, Nakajima predicted a victory via decision.

“We’ll have a new champion on Sunday. Nakajima will beat Rubillar on points I guess,” said Inoue, who last Friday apologized to Team Rubillar after this writer told him what he did.