By Rey Danseco
 
THE World Boxing Council (WBC) assured top ranked Juanito Rubillar on Wednesday of his shot against compatriot WBC light flyweight champion Brian “Pinoy Punch” Viloria.

WBC president Jose Sulaiman positively responded to the offer Gabriel “Bebot” Elorde Jr, Rubillar’s manager, had made on Tuesday, informing the Mexico-based boxing body that he is willing to put up the prize money for the title fight in Manila on April 4.

Elorde mentioned their family-owned Elorde Sports Center in Paranaque City, Metro Manila that has 3,000-seating capacity as tentative venue.

“I am contacting Viloria’s representatives with your offer,” Sulaiman told Elorde yesterday 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.”

In an email, Sulaiman also assured to Boxingscene the mandatory fight between the two Filipinos will take place as expected.

“The WBC’s rules call for Viloria making a mandatory defense,” Sulaiman told to this writer.

Elorde offered the 25-year old champion $150,000 United States dollars (7.8 million pesos) plus round trip airplane tickets and free hotel and meals for up to three people.

Earlier, Gittlesohn was quoted as saying his intention to prevent the mandatory fight as he eyes Viloria’s next fight against reigning WBO minimumweight champion Ivan Calderon and WBC flyweight interim champ Jorge Arce.

Sulaiman also told Elorde his high regards to his family, particularly with his grandfather Lope “Papa” Sarreal and father Gabriel “Flash” Elorde Jr.

Sulaiman revealed that he learned so many things to Sarreal, the "Grand Old Man of Philippine Boxing" who produced 22 world champions during his illustrious career.

“Papa Sarreal was my mentor and one of my all time greatest friends in boxing, and Flash Elorde was one of my greatest boxing heroes,” said Sulaiman. “I owe that to your ancestors.”

Sarreal, who also helped Flash Elorde to greatness at world featherweight champ in more than 7 years, passed away in 1995 at the age of 90.

Sarreal was enshrined posthumously at the Hall of Fame Museum in Canastota, New York on June 12, 2005, in recognition to his accomplishment as best Asian boxing promoter and manager during his time.

His biography and photo is permanent display on the Hall of Fame Wall in Canastota, New York.