By Rey Danseco
Little-known, but top ranked contender fighter from Indonesia is looming to contest with two-time world title challenger Juanito Rubillar for the vacant Oriental and Pacific Boxing Federation (OPBF) light flyweight title next month in Manila.
Rubillar may opt to fight reigning Indonesian light flyweight champion Irfan Ogah for the vacant 108-pound title because the top four top four contenders who are priority to fight for the vacant title are not available.
However, Rubillar’s manager and promoter Gabriel “Bebot” Elorde Jr. has hard time to get in touch with Ogah’s handler in Surabaya.
“I am just waiting for the reply from the Indonesian camp,” Elorde told OPBF president Frank Quill of Australia.
Two Japanese Ken Nakajima and Takahashi Kunishige and Philippine light flyweight champion Sonny Boy Jaro, who are ranked in the top four respectively, are all not available to fight Rubillar.
Nakajima, a former World Boxing Council minimumweight title challenger, is slated to fight Petchsakda Sor Tiebkoon of Thailand on August 31 and looking to face Kunishige on October 29.
While Jaro is in rigid preparation for his mandated defense against No. 1 ranked Along Denoy on September 17 at Joe Cantada Sports Center in Taguig City.
The title fight is originally set on September 25 as part of the 101st birth anniversary commemoration of Elorde’s grand father Lope “Papa” Sarreal, the grand old man of Philippine boxing. Sarreal, a hall of famer, produced 22 world champions of different nationalities in his illustrious career until he died on March 14, 1995.
Elorde informed Quill of setting the date of the fight on September 23, in a soon to determined venue in Metro Manila.
Rubillar opted to pick his opponent after the title holder Munetsugu Kayoh from Japan refused to meet him, making him the second champ to prevent a mandatory title fight with the veteran Rubillar.
Brian Viloria refused to honor the mandate of facing Rubillar early this year and instead hand-picked Mexico’s Omar Nino Romero. The Mexican dethroned Viloria with a convincing unanimous decision on August 10 in Las Vegas.
Kayoh instead picked Thai champion Wandee Singwancha for a 12-round fight with WBC interim light flyweight title on the line on October 9 in Japan.
Earlier, Elorde offered Kayoh $10,000 purse plus free round trip air tickets with hotel and meals for four members of his team. It was to convince him to face Rubillar in Manila on September 25.
