MERLITO "Junjun" Sabillo of Barangay Singcang-Airport, Bacolod City is finally beginning to reap the results of rigorous training at the famous ALA Gym in Cebu City owned by Cebu-based Negrense international boxing promoter Antonio "Bidoy" Aldeguer when he headlines an eight-bout ALA Promotions presentation scheduled on Saturday, November 29, 6 p.m., at the Pagcor Bacolod Casino amphitheater.

Sabillo, who holds a record of five straight professional career wins since he turned pro, is a former standout of the Negros Amateur Boxing Association (NABA), headed by Games and Amusement Board (GAB) commissioner Juan Ramon "Monju" Guanzon.

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He will slug it out in his first eight-round assignment against Ruther Del Castillo of the Ringside Boxing Gym in Manila in the 106-lbs division.

Also featured in this boxing card are six other Bacolod newcomers and former amateur standouts who are trying their luck as pros through the help of Guanzon and Aldeguer.

The under card events are Leonard Guardiano versus fights Jun Intor of Mabinay, Oriental Negros (122 lbs.-6 rounds); George Dico versus Romilo Espra of the Phil-Aus Gym in Mandaue City, Cebu (126 lbs.-6 rounds); Royroy Sumugat versus Ronilo Lawis of San Miguel, Bohol (115 lbs.-4 rounds); Jan Jan Guanzon versus Bryan Inihaw of the Phil-Aus Gym, Mandaue City, Cebu (106 lbs.-4 rounds); Arthur Villanueva versus Alan Magno, who are both Bacoleños (112 lbs.-4 rounds); and Mike Española versus Ronel Tupas, both of Bacolod City, who will fight in the 106 lbs. category for four rounds.

Ronel Tupas and Allan Magno belong to the Mega Boxing Gym of boxing coach cum sports columnist Santino Magno.

Several amateur bouts will also be staged as side events during the November 29 presentation, according to event organizers.

The presentation is part of the continuing series of pro boxing promotions intended to expose promising new Negrense pro boxers who come from the ranks of NABA as part of the partnership program between ALA Gym and NABA initiated a few years ago by Aldeguer and Guanzon.

Guanzon appealed to Negrense boxing fans to support Sabillo.

"I hope we can give Sabillo the support he needs by coming out to watch this fight on Nov. 29 since he has been doing well lately and hopefully, he can be the next real Bacoleño to make good as a pro following the success of Donnie Nietes," he told sports writers during a press conference Thursday at SM City north wing.

From the amateur ranks, Sabillo found his way to the pros following his involvement in underground street boxing, which used to be popular during nighttime somewhere near the Bacolod Central Market area.

"He has proven himself to be the most consistent so far among his batch of former amateurs who have turned pro and that's why he is the main event of this card," said NABA treasurer Vic Tan. (HCV)

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(November 21, 2008 issue)
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