By Rey Danseco
Top Filipino promoter Gabriel “Bebot” Elorde Jr. has informed the WBC of the postponement of his desired date for the all-Filipino mandatory fight between light flyweight champ Brian “Pinoy Punch” Viloria against Juanito Rubillar on May 6 from April 4 in the Philippines.
Elorde reiterated to WBC president Jose Sulaiman his willingness to put up the prize money for the title fight, amounting $150,000 (about P7.8 million) plus round trip airplane tickets and free hotel and meals for up to four people – compared to his initial offer of for 3 persons only.
The 3,000-seat Elorde Sports Center in Sucat, Paranaque City in southern Manila will be the venue of the bout.
But Viloria’s broken bone in his right hand from his last fight was the main reason of the changes of date.
"We heard that Viloria hurt his hands (from his last fight) and needs a three weeks rest period. So we would like to offer him to defend his WBC light flyweight title against the number 1 and mandatory challenger Juanito Rubillar on May 6,” Elorde told Sulaiman in his email with copy furnished to this writer.
Sulaiman has already assured in an email on Feb. 22 the No. 1 contender Rubillar of his second shot in WBC 108-lb throne, after Elorde formally made the offer.
“I am contacting Viloria’s representatives with your offer,” Sulaiman told Elorde referring to Viloria’s manager Gary Gittlesohn and promoter Bob Arum of Top Rank. “It will always be my pleasure to do everything that I can to support you.”
Viloria, who’s in his native country, the Philippines since Tuesday, defended the title belt with a convincing unanimous decision win against Jose Antonio Aguirre on Feb. 18 at Aladdin Casino in Las Vegas.
Viloria said he believes he suffered the injury to his fourth metacarpal in the second or third rounds while landing a blow to his opponent's head.
