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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. [details]
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Sulaiman's support comes at the heels of a complaint of Juanito Rubillar and his manager, Elorde...Originally posted by BIGPOPPAPUMP
Villoria, now an American citizen, traces his origins to the Ilocos region in the island of Luzon in the Philippines. Elorde and Rubillar are both Filipinos residing in the archipelago.
This reminds me:
Elorde's father, Gabriel "Flash" Elorde, the WBC Jrl Lightweight King, once defended his Orient-Pacific Lightweight title against a compatriot, Rene Barrientos. The fight was held in Manila following hews and cries from the Barrientos camp, particularly his manager, one named Mr. Almerante, that the "Flash" should face the Mindanao-based Barrientos. Almerante may had been encouraged by Elorde's then recent loss to Carlos Ortiz by stoppage.
Elorde won resoundingly, though the fight went the distance.
Almerante also, later, had Barrientos face another Filipino champ, Pedro Adigue, twice within a period of just a little over two months in 1967. Barrientos lost the first by decision and held Adigue to a draw in the second meeting. Both fights were for the OPBF Lightweight crown.
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