Merlito Sabillo (born January 19, 1984) is a Filipino professional boxer. He is a former WBO Minimumweight World Champion.
Professional career
Early years as professional boxer In 2008, at the age of 24, Sabillo started his career as professional boxer. On, August 1, 2010, he won the Philippines Games and Amusement Board (GAB) strawweight title against Jetly Purisima via twelve round unanimous decision.
On October 8, 2011, Sabillo won the vacant OPBF Minimumweight Title against his landsman Rodel Tejares via twelve round unanimous decision.
Minimumweight division On March 9, 2013, Sabillo defeated Colombia's Luis de la Rosa via 8-round technical knockout to win the interim WBO Minimumweight world title. He was later promoted to full champion after original champion Moises Fuentes vacated the title to move up to Light Flyweight. He successfully made his first title defence against Jorle Estrada on July 13, 2013. He retained his title for a second time against Nicaraguan Carlos Buitrago in a bout ending in a disputed split decision. In his next fight, Sabillo lost the title to Francisco Rodriguez, Jr. via tenth-round TKO. On November 15, 2014, Merlito Sabillo lost to the hard-hitting Indonesian Journeyman Ellias Nggenggo. The fight turned into street brawl as the two fighters, throwing some wild punches and hard exchanges. In the end Merlito Sabillo come up short as the Indonesian visitor Ellias Nggenggo wins the bout.
On June 12, 2015, Sabillo defeated his fellow Filipino Countrymen Powell Balaba into a 6-round fighting contest that was held at the L' Fisher Hotel, La Proa Ballroom, Bacolod, Negros Occidental, Philippines. On November 29, 2015, he defeated the Indonesian Fighter Jack Amisa into a 6-round contest. On May 8, 2016, he face the Japanese Prospect Riku Kano at Bunka Center, Sanda, Hyōgo Prefecture for the interim OPBF Minimumweight title. In the earlier rounds, Merlito used his experience as he utilized his Left Straight Hand and Right Hook. Kano began to warm up with rounds 3 and 4 being much more competitive. Going at the last 4 rounds both men started to show the signs of fatigue at the ring. Kano was trying to pickup the fight and began to land shots while Sabillo lost his footwork and could not connect any of his punches to his opponent. Both men displayed their courage in the ring and they gave the audience a better fight. In the end Sabillo fell short and the much younger Japanese Prospect Riku Kano wins the bout and the OPBF Minimumweight title.
On November 11, 2016, the Former World Champion Merlito Sabillo was back to Japan for the second time as he faced the hard-hitting Japanese Professional Boxer Ryuya Yamanaka for the vacant OPBF Minimumweight title. Sabillo started well in the earlier rounds as he landed clean shots establishing his ground on the earlier bout. As the bout progressed Yamanaka built his confidence as he connected a body shot on Sabillo and landed some serious shots on him making Sabillo lost his ground and his defense as the fight proceeds. In the end Sabillo fell short and Yamanaka claim the OPBF Minimumweight title, making Sabillo, make his second lost in Japan.
Light flyweight division On May 27, 2017, he defeated the Indonesian Fighter, Jack Amisa for a vacant Asian Boxing Federation Light Flyweight title. He successfully defend his Asian Boxing Federation Light Flyweight Title to his Filipino Countrymen Crison Omayao. On February 17, 2018, Merlito Sabillo lost to the undefeated Filipino Prospect Edward Heno to a 12-round fight for the unification of Oriental and Pacific Boxing Federation and Asian Boxing Federation Light Flyweight titles. On September 15, 2018, he fought the Chinese Fighter Jing Xiang for a vacant World Boxing Council Silver Light Flyweight title where he lost by unanimous decision.
Professional boxing record
ResultRecordOpponentTypeRound, timeDateLocationNotes36Loss27-8-1 Sho KimuraTKO2 (10), Feb 15, 2020 35Loss27-7-1 Daniel ValladaresTKO7 (8), Apr 13, 2019 34Loss27-6-1 Jing XiangUD12Sep 15, 2018 33Loss27-5-1 Edward HenoSD12Feb 17, 2018 32Win27-4-1 Crison OmayaoUD12Oct 20, 201731Win26-4-1 Jack AmisaKO3 (12) May 27, 201730Loss25-4-1 Ryuya YamanakaUD12Nov 11, 201629Loss25-3-1 Riku KanoSD12May 8, 201628Win25-2-1 Jack AmisaUD6Nov 29, 201527Win24-2-1 Powell BalabaUD6Jun 12, 201526Loss23-2-1 Ellias NggenggoTKO4 (10), Nov 15, 201425Loss23-1-1 Francisco Rodríguez Jr.TKO10 (12), Mar 22, 2014 24Draw23-0-1 Carlos BuitragoSD12Nov 29, 201323Win23-0 Jorle EstradaTKO9 (12), Jul 13, 2013 22Win22-0 Luis De la RosaTKO8 (12), Mar 9, 2013 21Win21-0 Rollen Del CastilloRTD1 (10), Dec 15, 2012 20Win20-0 Jovel RomasasaKO1 (8), Sep 22, 2012 19Win19-0 Jonathan RefugioTKO7 (12), May 4, 2012 18Win18-0 Sofyan EffendiUD8Jan 28, 2012 17Win17-0 Rodel TejaresUD12Oct 8, 2011 16Win16-0 Roger EchavezTKO7 (12), Apr 30, 2011 15Win15-0 Jade YagahonKO3 (10), Feb 26, 2011 14Win14-0 Donny MabaoMD12Nov 20, 2010 13Win13-0 Jetly PurisimaUD12Aug 1, 2010 12Win12-0 Amero RicablancaRTD4 (8), May 29, 2010 11Win11-0 Roel HonorUD10Feb 21, 2010 10Win10-0 Jetly PurisimaUD10Dec 12, 2009 9Win9-0 Jetly PurisimaSD10Aug 29, 2009 8Win8-0 Fabio MarfaUD10May 30, 2009 7Win7-0 Arnel TadenaRTD4 (8), Feb 21, 2009 6Win6-0 Ruther del CastilloUD8Nov 29, 2008 5Win5-0 Steve DemaisipKO5 (6), Sep 20, 2008 4Win4-0 Edcel TunacaoTKO3 (6), Jul 12, 2008 3Win3-0 Leo TorresTKO2 (4), May 12, 2008 2Win2-0 Junel BusanoUD4Mar 15, 2008 1Win1-0 Powell BalabaUD4Jan 26, 2008
Titles in boxing Major World Titles: WBO Minimumweight Champion (105 lbs) Regional Titles: OPBF Minimumweight title. (105 lbs) ABF light flyweight Title (108 lbs) Philippines Games & Amusement Board Minimumweight title. (105 lbs)
See also List of WBO world champions List of Filipino boxing world champions
References
External links