Rubillar Had Some Weight Struggles For Segura Bout
By Ronnie Nathanielsz
Perennial light flyweight title challenger Juanito Rubillar (46-12-7, 22 KO’s) made the weight on his second try for an unexpected title shot against WBA champion Giovanni Segura (20-1-1, 16 KO’s) later tonight in Grand Mayan, Nuevo Vallarta, Mexico.
The 32 year old southpaw Rubillar came in as a last minute replacement for hard-hitting Sonny Boy Jaro (30-7-5, 19 KO’s) who lost the opportunity for a second crack at the world title after a snafu over his transient visa prevented him from making the trip to Mexico for the fight.
Jaro earlier lost a twelve round unanimous decision to WBC champion Edgar Sosa after dropping him in the 9th round but failing to put him away on September 27, 2008.
Contacted by BoxingScene.com, insidesports.ph, Standard Today and Viva Sports, Filipino boxing icon Manny Pacquiao’s adviser Michael Koncz said “I have no comment with regards to the visa because I don’t wish to discuss personal business in the press.” At the same time “I wish Sonny Boy Jaro was here and had a chance to fight . But he doesn’t and now it’s a great opportunity for Rubillar.”
Rubillar who also lost to Sosa by a 7th round TKO on November 29, 2008 was one pound overweight at the weigh-in but tipped the scales at 108 pounds after one hour.
While having breakfast hours before the fight, Rubillar told us he was in condition to fight and had been training in Los Angeles and hoped he could capitalize on the lucky break.
Koncz said his “primary concern was whether Rubillar was trained and ready and they (Gabriel “Bebot” Elorde who handles Rubillar” said yes. I was not there to witness it but that’s what I’ve been told.” Koncz indicated that Rubillar appeared to be “in great shape.” He also said former two-division world champion Gerry Penalosa whose protégé Michael Farenas is fighting on the same card was instrumental in arranging for Rubillar to fly over to Mexico in time for the weigh-in and title fight.
Koncz said the boxer’s interest comes first and “if I was aware that he wasn’t prepared I would never put him on the card. I can only go on what I’ve been told.”
Elorde himself told us earlier when BoxingScene.com, insidesports.ph broke the news that Rubillar had replaced Jaro that the veteran “is a full-time boxer and was training in Los Angeles.”
