Sabillo loses WBO title to Mexican Rodriguez
Merlito “TIGER” Sabillo. CDN FILE PHOTO
MANILA, Philippines—Filipino boxer Merlito Sabillo suffered a stunning loss, a 10th round stoppage, at the hands of Mexican challenger Francisco Rodriguez Jr. Sunday (Manila time) at the Arena Monterrey in Monterrey, Mexico.
According to a report posted on www.boxingscene.com, Rodriguez took control of the fight after decking Sabillo twice in the second round.
Rodriguez (14-2, 10 KOs), who now owns the WBO minimumweight title, pressed the fight right at the opening bell and never pulled back on his punches while Sabillo (23-1-1, 12 KOs) on the other hand, offered little response.
Seeing blood in the water, Rodriguez went for the finish in the 10th round – pummelling the erstwhile unbeaten Sabillo – before referee Eddie Claudio stopped the bout at the 1:50 mark.
The win is said to be the biggest yet in Rodriguez’s career. Rodriguez was coming off a knockout defeat at the hands of former champion Roman Gonzalez last October.
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