By Rey Danseco
JUANITO Rubillar and Acasio Simbajon refused to predict a knockout, but they promised a “war” in their third encounter in the main event of Gabriel “Bebot” Elorde Jr.’s “Bakbakan sa San Dionisio” card around 6 pm at the San Dionisio Sports Center in southern Manila suburb of Paranaque City in the Philippines.
Knowing the importance of victory, Rubillar will be extra cautious in the scheduled 10-round bout at 110-pound limit.
“I can’t afford to lose, or else my opportunity for world title shot will be lost,” said Rubillar, referring to his the mandatory shot at the World Boxing Council (WBC) light flyweight title next year.
Rubillar, rated No. 1 by WBC, is eyeing a shot against the winner on the February 18 fight between reigning WBC light flyweight king Brian Viloria and Mexico’s Jose Antonio Aguirre, the former WBC minimumweight boss, at the Aladdin Hotel-Casino in Las Vegas.
“It may go in a distance or quick work for me, just be there at ringside and see us in another war in the ring.”
The 28-year old Rubillar and Simbajon, one of only eight foes who went the distance against Manny Pacquiao (August 1995), had their first bout end with a technical draw in the third round - on July 21 of last year at Grand Boulevard Hotel in Manila.
Their return bout saw Rubillar take the upperhand in most of the rounds and earn a unanimous decision against the game Simbajon, a veteran of 53 fights.
“I want to redeem myself and get even with him,” said Simbajon.
The supporting bout of the card that supported by Knights of Columbus Council 5697, Mayor Jun Bernabe of Paranaque City, Congressman Ed Zialcita, Police Inspector Arsenio Rodriguez and Zamboanga del Sur’s civic leader Dell Supapo, will be a 4-round super flyweight fight between women’s boxers Babay “Red” Teckok of Maguindanao and Janima “Green” Karim of Manila.
Eight more pairs of clashes complete the 50-round card that includes: Rey Labao vs Felix Manalansan (8 rounds, 126 pounds), and the four-round affairs between Benny Palen vs Ruel Santos (130lb), Marlo Villamor vs Ruel Santos (106lb), Noel Basto vs Ian dela Pena (121lb), RJ Iringan vs Noah Isidro (110lb), at Hilsan Berba vs Elmer Marcelino (121lb), Raymond Sermona vs Ramil Dumpang (121-lb).
Rubillar tipped the scale 109 pounds while Simbajon a pound heavier.
The weekly boxing program “Kamao sa Kamao” will tape the entire card for its every 5-6 pm Sunday airtime at NBN Channel 4 in the Philippines.
