By Ronnie Nathanielsz
WBC president Jose Sulaiman has backed newly-crowned light flyweight champion Brian Viloria’s voluntary first title defense against former champion Jose Antonio Aguirre at the Aladdin Resort and Casino in Las Vegas on February 18.
Sulaiman told Viva Sports/Manila Standard Today that Viloria had been “authorized for one voluntary defense just as we do with every single champion that wins the title for the first time. No exceptions. It is within the WBC regulations.”
Sulaiman issued the clarification following reported complaints from Juanito Rubillar and his manager Gabriel “Bebot” Elorde Jr that Rubillar should have fought Viloria since he is the mandatory challenger.
However, Sulaiman insisted that Viloria had the right to one voluntary defense and that Rubillar “will have his third opportunity for the WBC title” pointing out that the world organization and he himself have “supported Juanito because he deserves our support. Juanito will get his fight and that is what counts.”
WBC executive secretary Mauricio Sulaiman noted that the WBC “forced” Jorge Arce to fight Rubillar for the interim title where Arce won a decision. He said the WBC then forced Arce to defend his title in a mandatory once again against Rubillar “even when Arce claimed that the fight had no interest as he had beaten him before.” Sulaiman said the WBC has “kept Juanito highly rated.”
Sulaiman added that the WBC confirmed Rubillar as mandatory challenger “ without having to fight a final elimination bout recognizing the value of his stature as a boxer.” He also disclosed that the WBC had kept in close communication with Elorde and has always “openly discussed all matters” with him.
Sulaiman disclosed he didn’t believe that some critical statements in the media came from Rubillar or Elorde because if they did ”it would be a disappointment to all in the WBC Board who have supported Rubillar.”
