THE long road to redemption starts for Merlito Sabillo as he takes on a Chinese fighter on September.
Sabillo, the former World Boxing Organization world minimum weight title holder will face Jing Xiang on September 15 in Qinzhou, China for the WBC Silver world light flyweight title.
The Bacolod City fighter who is now based in La Trinidad, Benguet under the Highland Boxing Gym is coming off a split decision loss against Edwad Heno in their Asian Boxing Federation light flyweight and OPBF light flyweight title match up in February.
Highland Boxing Gym manager Brico Santig expressed optimism that Sabillo will once again be a champion despite his earlier loss.
Prior to his loss, Sabillo (27-5-1) was riding high on a two fight winning streak scoring a knock out against Jack Amisa in 2017 to snatch the vacant Asian Boxing Federation light flyweight title and successfully defending the championship against Crison Omayao via split decision also in the same year.
Xiang, meanwhile, is enjoying a six fight winning streak to improve his record to 14 wins, including three knock outs and four defeats with two draws.
Jomar Fajardo, fresh from his conquest of former world champion Edrin Dapudong in June, meanwhile, returns to action as he seeks the World Boxing Council Asia super flyweight title last week of September.
Santig said Fajardo will be squaring off against Cris Paulino on September 22 as venue for the event is being finalized.
Jay–R Raquinel, meanwhile, will vie for the WBC International flyweight title last week of September in China against a still to be named fighter.(Roderick Osis)