Elorde offers WBC title shot to 2 Cebuano pugs
By Dennis Principe
26.03 - MANILA, Philippines - International boxing promoter Gabriel “Bebot” Elorde has made a bold move of staking two prestigious international titles of two of his wards against world-rated boxers who are based in Cebu.
Elorde revealed that he is willing to allow brothers Juanito and Ernesto Rubillar stake their respective international titles versus one-time world title challenger Wyndell Janiola and RP minflyweight king Rodel Mayol, two Cebuano-based, world-ranked fighters of American Manager Terry Carter.
Ernesto holds the WBC International title minimumweight title while younger brother Juanito is the defending WBC International lightflyweight ruler.
“I am willing to give Carter’s ward an opportunity to fight for the titles of my boxers. I’ve been hearing a lot of good things about these Cebuano boxers so I think its high time to test their mettle.” Said Elorde in a recent interview.
Elorde said he is unfazed by the potentials of Janiola and Mayol who are said to be the country’s future world champions.
The world-renowned promoter believes his boxers possess the needed tools and experience to beat anyone in their respective divisions.
As of the moment, Carter could not be reached for comment as he is currently in the United States attending to some business matters.
The younger Rubillar recently stopped Namchai Taksinisan of Thailand in the 7th round which served as one of the undercards in the Manny Pacquiao-Serikzan Yeshmangbetov 10-round non-title fight last March 15 held at the Rizal Park.
The 26-year old Juanito (29W-8L-6D, 11 KO’s), who is also the 2nd ranked contender in the WBC rankings, has defended the title five times since capturing the belt from Rocky Palma via 4th round TKO last April 1999.
The 32-year old Ernesto (37W-28L-5D, 14 KO’s) , who used to occupy the #2 spot the the WBC rankings, is coming off two controversial losses in Indonesia this year. Rubillar figured in a 5th round technical decision loss to Indon Julio Dela Basez last February.
Just this month, Rubillar again lost to world-rated Indon boxer Muhammad Rachman via split decision. Those twin losses relegated Rubillar to #11th in the latest WBC rankings.
On the other hand, Janiola (13W-1L, 5KO’s) is coming off a disputed decision loss to Mhikiza Myekeni in South Africa for the International Boxing Organization (IBO) world lightflyweight crown last February.
He is set to fight for the vacant OPBF crown versus Shingo Yamaguchi this coming May in Japan.
The undefeated Mayol (12W, 10 KO’s) is set to defend his RP title against dangerous Cebuano youngster Isidro Lorona on April 9 at the Cantada Sports Center in Taguig.
