By Rey Danseco
AFTER an unexpected loss in Thailand that cost his second World Boxing Council (WBC) title shot, Juanito Rubillar will contend on taking the Oriental and Pacific Boxing Federation (OPBF) light flyweight title.
Rubillar’s handler Gabriel “Bebot” Elorde Jr. offered reigning OPBF light flyweight champion Munetsugu of Japan a $10,000 purse to fight his boxer on September 25 in Manila.
Elorde also noted that his offer to Team Kayoh included four roundtrip airplane tickets and free board and lodging in a hotel during their stay in Manila. A Japanese judge in the title fight will also be assured.
Elorde tendered his offer to Takaharu Hayashi, manager of Kayoh, and with copy with OPBF president Frank Quill of Australia.
Rubillar (39-10-7, 17 KOs) lost his hold to the number one ranking and the right to face WBC light flyweight champion Brian “Filipino Punch” Viloria after losing to second ranked Wandee Singwancha with unanimous decision over 12 rounds in Bangkok, Thailand last July 18.
The Filipino southpaw should have fought Viloria early this year but the American handlers, Gary Gittelsohn and Bob Arum, of the Los Angeles-based champion successfully prevented the all-Filipino confrontation, using the “lingering” effect of his right hand injury from previous fight in February.
Rubillar, 29, has more experience compare to Kayoh. He fought for International Boxing Federation minimumweight title in 1999 against South Africa’s Zolani Petelo and for WBC interim light flyweight title and WBC light flyweight belt, losing both bouts over 12-round decision to Mexico’s Jorge “Travieso” Arce in 2002 and 2004, respectively.
The WBC No. 11 ranked Kayoh, also a southpaw, is a 23-year old, five year pro with a record of 14-1, 8 KOs. He captured the belt from compatriot Shingu Yamaguchi in February of last year and defended it two times in a row against another Japanese fighter Takahisa Masuda late last year and Thai Fahkanong Singdongthai in June.
