By Rey Danseco
The IBF wants to stage an all-Filipino eliminator between Juanito Rubillar and Bert Batawang, where the winner will be installed as top ranked contender and a mandatory shot for the IBF junior flyweight title.
Lindsey E. Tucker, Jr., the Championship Chairman of the IBF and United States Boxing Association (USBA), informed Rubillar’s handler in Manila and Batawang in Mandaue City about the order of the New Jersey-based IBF.
“In an effort to determine who the mandatory challenger will be, the IBF is ordering that an elimination bout should be held between Batawang and Rubillar for the number one position. The winner will become No. 1 and the mandatory challenger,” said Tucker in an email.
Tucker, whose letter was addreseds to Gabriel “Bebot” Elorde Jr. and American Jimmy Montoya of Guilty Boxing, also sent a copy of his official letter to IBF president Marian Muhammad and his fellow IBF official Daryl Peoples, a Philippine visitor in 2001.
He informed the boxers to notify the IBF before Jan. 18 (Jan. 19 in the Philippines) whether they are interested or not.
“Within three days or no later than January 18, 2006, you should contact this office in writing advising of your availability,” said Tucker. “In the event we do not hear from you in writing, we will assume that you do not wish to participate in this eliminator process and proceed down the list of rankings to the next available contenders.”
The southpaw Batawang, a former Philippine and WBA Pan African light flyweight champion, is considered the top ranked fighter in the 108-pound division being No. 3 contender of newly crowned IBF junior flyweight champion Jose Ulises Solis of Mexico. The top two spots remain unoccupied.
Rubillar, who is a former WBC International light flyweight champ and a former two-time world title challenger, is rated No. 7 by IBF and also currently rated No. 1 by WBC under champion Brian “Filipino-Hawaiian Punch” Viloria.
Rubillar is also waiting to the realization of his right for the mandatory shot against Viloria later in March.
Between the rankings of the two Filipinos - No. 4 Carlos Fajardo, No. 5 Eric Ortiz, and No. 6 Nelson Dieppa can choose to fight for the vacant slot, as well as Jose Antonio Aguirre, Manuel Vargas and Kermin Guardia, rated No. 8 through 10 respectively.
