by Ronnie Nathanielsz
Nicaragua’s undefeated Carlos Buitrago will face WBO minimumweight champion Merlito “Tiger” Sabillo in the Filipino’s second title defense planned for Dubai this October in a joint presentation of ALA Promotions and the giant broadcast network ABS-CBN.
WBO president Francisco “Paco” Valcarcel gave us the information at a dinner hosted for him, Championship Committee chairman Luis Batista Salas and Mexican promoter Felix “Tito” Zabala by ABS-CBN’s Gabby Lopez at the Intercontinental Hotel Wednesday.
Buitrago is only 21 years old but has an impressive record, being unbeaten in 27 fights with 16 knockouts.
He won the Interim title with a twelve round unanimous decision over Julian Yedres who was also undefeated at that time with a record of 21-0 with 13 knockouts, on July 20 this year.
Buitrago had earlier scored a 6th round TKO over Colombia’s Jorlie Estrada who was knocked out in the 9th round by Sabillo at the plush Solaire Resort and Casino overlooking Manila Bay last July 13.
Buitrago had also beaten Eddy Castro of Nicaragua by a 2nd round TKO on May 6, 2011 and followed with a 5th round TKO exactly one year later. Castro is the same fighter who was knocked out in the second round by then minimum weight champion Donnie Nietes in a title defense on August 30, 2008.
Sabillo who is a devastating puncher and an aggressive fighter has a record of 23-0 with 12 knockouts and was a former street fighter in Bacolod who moved to the famed ALA Gym at the age of 25. He is now 29.
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