By Carlos Costa
CIUDAD DE MEXICO - Filipino lightweight fighter Vinvin Rufino of Sapi-an, Capiz, will have the formidable task to battle heavy hitter rising Mexican star Alejandro Sanabria for the vacant WBC Silver Lightweight Title at Centro Banamex in Ciudad de Mexico on Saturday night.
Both Rufino and Sanabria already met and faced off during a promotional public work-out at the famous La Romanza Gym of legendary Mexican trainer Don Ignacio “Nacho” Beristain.
After the workout at La Romanza, Sanabria and Rufino looked relaxed and in good shape and had the time to exchange polite greetings and pose for the camera of BoxingScene.com/Philboxing.
The veteran 30-year-old southpaw Vivin Rufino (30-14-3, 14KO's), who is smaller and older than Alejandro Sanabria, will be assisted during the dangerous battle by trainer Federito Laurente of Palompon, Leyte. Federito is brother of welterweight fighter Dennis Laurente.
Both Vivin Rufino and his trainer Federito Laurente belong to the stable of boxers of well-known Filipino promoter and manager Johnny Elorde of Sucat, Paranaque.
“I know that the Mexican (Sanabria) is a big boxer and punch hard. But I am a willing to fight. My training in Manila lasted for one month. I am happy to be here in Mexico. Pero I came here to fight and to win,” commented the shy Vinvin Rufino to Philboxing.
Meanwhile, Alejandro "Flacucho" Sanabria (29-1-1, 22KO's), a homeboy of Ciudad de Mexico, has been WBC Fecarbox, Continental Americas and NABF super featherweight champion and is one of the new big lightweight prospects in today's Mexican boxing.
International matchmaker for the Alejandro Sanabria-Vinvin Rufino WBC Silver lightweight title fight is Filipino promoter Gabriel “Bebot” Elorde.
The official medical check-up by the Comision de Boxeo Profesional de Mexico was successfully passed by Rufino yesterday.
