PASAY CITY , Philippines - WBO minimumweight champion Merlito 'Tiger' Sabillo (21-0, 11KOs) and his Colombian challenger Jorle Jacinto Estrada (16-6, 5KOs) traded sharp verbal jabs two days ahead of their highly-anticipated title showdown headlining the 'Pinoy Pride XXI: When Worlds Collide' fightcard this Saturday night at the Solaire Casino and Leisure Park here.
Exuding much confidence, the 24-year-old Estrada vowed to score a knockout victory against the Filipino champion so he can bring the belt to Colombia.
“I will beat the champion (Sabillo) and bring the title to my country,“ said Estrada during the event's final press conference yesterday at the Grand Ballrom of the posh hotel. “I trained for three months and I think that’s enough to beat him (Sabillo). I will knock him out in the seventh round."
Though it only the first time that he will be fighting outside of Latin America, Estrada believes he has the capable of pulling off a huge upset over Sabillo in front of the Filipino boxing fans.
Upon hearing Estrada’s pronouncements, the pride of Toboso, Negros Occidental quickly fired back by saying that his foe might end up eating his own words.
“He said that I'm only good for seven rounds, but let's see. He should make sure that it will happen or else it's going to be the other way around, said Sabillo, who claimed the previusly vacant WBO throne with a masterful eight round stoppage of Estrada’s compatriot Luis de La Rosa last March 9 at the Coliseo San Vicente in Colombia.
“Now that I have the belt, it's time for me to stand and protect it not only for myself but also for our country's pride, “ said Sabillo.
In the equally-explosive supporting main event, the unbeaten ALA Boxing Gym standout Arthur 'El Matador" Villanueva (21-0, 11KOs) will shoot for the WBO Asia-Pacific super flyweight title against Mexican Arturo 'Fuerte' Badillo (21-4, 19KOs).
“It's been a long time since I scored a knockout win. I want to impress the fans so I really want him (Badillo) to kiss the canvass," said Villanueva.
On the other hand, AJ Banal (28-2, 20KOs), who failed in his world title bid two times already, will make his ring comeback against Mexican Abraham Gomez (18-7, 9KOs).
(FREEMAN)