by Ronnie Nathanielsz
World Boxing Council president Don Jose Sulaiman believes that WBC light flyweight champion Edgar Sosa ( 33-5, 17 KO’s) will have problems coping with the style of mandatory challenger Juanito Rubillar ( 46-10-7, 22 KO’s) in their title fight at the Arena Mexico in Mexico City on November 29.
In an overseas telephone conversation with insidesports.ph, Standard Today and Viva Sports, Sulaiman said “I think the style of Rubillar will be a little difficult for Sosa” although he claimed that the 29 year old Sosa “is in his prime while Rubillar is not and that’s the only difference.” Don Jose was clearly influence by the fact that the Filipino southpaw is 31 years old and this is his fifth attempt to win the world title.
However, Sulaiman conceded that Rubillar who he said deserved to win the title eliminator against former champion Omar Nino Romero last June 14 by a split decision “can fight, can take a punch, can go forward and can go backwards and is a complete fighter.” Sulaiman said that because of all these factors “it’s going to be difficult for Sosa” but reiterated that the Mexican who won the title via a majority decision over Brian Viloria on April 14 last year is in his prime and that could make the difference.
Don Jose’s son, WBC secretary general Mauricio Sulaiman said the fight is “going to be the biggest challenge for Sosa since he won the title vs Brian Viloria” stating that Sosa has been very active and “could be a bit tired.” It will be the champion’s fourth title defense this year. He is coming off a twelve round unanimous decision over another Filipino Sonny Boy Jaro last September 27 in a bout in which he was dropped by Jaro in the 9th round but boxed his way out of trouble.
Mauricio Sulaiman said Rubillar “ has so much experience and great boxing skills which make the fight very interesting.” Sulaiman said the question is “will it be a slugfest like the (Jose) Arce fight or will it be a chess match like the (Omar) Nino fight?”
Rubillar battled Arce twice in Mexico and the rematch on September 4, 2004 was a war. Rubillar’s manager Gabriel “Bebot” Elorde claimed it was, at the very least, a controversial decision which he hopes will not be repeated this time and that Rubillar would win.
Secretary general Sulaiman informed us that the WBC had picked Harold Laurence who was a judge in the recent straw weight title fight between Juan Palacios and Teruo Misawa in Chengdu , China as referee for the title fight. The judges will be Filipino journalist Rey Danseco, Humberto Olivarez of Mexico and Stephen Blea of the United States.
