BY Ronnie Nathanielsz


Juanito Rubillarof the Philippines, the No. 1 contender in the World Boxing Council light flyweight division battled Mexico’s hard-hitting champion Jorge “Travieso” Arce all the way in his hometown of Tijuana in a rematch but lost a split decision last Saturday according to a report from Mexico. Rubillar who lost a lopsided decision in their first meeting in October 2001 realized that this was last chance to win a world title and gave it all he had but the 25 year old Arce appeared too good and eventually ended the Filipino’s hopes of avenging his one-sided loss to the Mexican champion some three years ago.


Referee Tony Gibson deducted a point from Rubillar in the ninth round for hitting Arce behind the head which hurt his chances even more. In an obvious hometown decision one of the judges, Roy Ovalle had Arce the winner by a ridiculous margin of 119-108 which meant Arce lost only one round. Judge David Harris scored it for Arce 115-112 while Gale Van Hoy saw Rubillar the winner by an identical 115-112 count. Arce who was making the seventh defense of his title improved his record to 37-3-1 with 27 knockouts while Rubillar dropped to 33-9-7 with 14 KO’s..


The 27 year old Rubillar who was also seeking to avenge the defeat of countryman Joma Gamboa who was blasted by Arce in two rounds last January 10 besides his own unanimous decision loss didn’t look capable of achieving the feat against a confident Arce who, in his last fight, scored an impressive fifth round KO over former champion Melchor Cob Castro.


The Philippines suffered another setback on the same fight card when top-rated IBF junior flyweight Wyndel Janiola dropped a fifth round technical decision to No. 2 ranked Eric Ortiz. The 27 year old Ortiz decked Janiola in round five and although no reason was given for the technical decision the three judges scorecards had Ortiz a comfortable winner. Benjamin Rendon had Ortiz ahead 48-45, Alejandro Rochins 49-44 and Jose de la Mora 49-44. Ortiz improved to 23-4-1 with 15 KO’s while Janiola dropped to 15-3, 7 KO.s.