Sho Kimura beats Merlito Sabillo in 2!
In the Philippines earlier today fight fans had a battle of former world champions, as former WBO Flyweight champion Sho Kimura (19-3-2, 12) [木村翔] battled former WBO Minimumweight champion Merlito Sabillo (27-8-1, 13) in a bout for ABF Flyweight title.
On paper this looked a lot of fun. Both guys have aggressive styles, and they could easy have a tear up with pretty much anyone, and keep us interested.
In the first round Kimura hunted Sabillo, applying pressure and looking to see what Sabillo had to offer. It was relatively quiet from the Filipino, but Sabillo did come alive in round 2, and began to let his shots go. He was aggressive and even forced Kimura to back up at times, as the bout really came alive.
Sadly though all hope of something special ended in round, after what had been a really fun start to the bout, when Sabillo took a huger, counter left hook. The shot was clean but wasn't a knockout punch. Sadly Sabillo's right knee seemed to collapse on it's self when the shot landed.
With Sabillo in clear agony, on the canvas, the referee waved off the bout. It was a freak injury, but it had been caused, at least partly by the left hook of Kimura.
For Kimura this was his return to the ring following an ill fated decision to move to Light Flyweight and challenger Carlos Canizales for the WBA "regular" title. He's now back at Flyweight and in reality this is the division that seems to suit him. Fingers crossed he gets back in the world title mix here, with fights against guys like Angel Acosta, Giemel Magramo, Junto Nakatani, Moruti Mthalane, Artem Dalakian and Julio Cesar Martinez all looking like they could be amazing contests.
As for Sabillo it's hard to know what's next. He's lost 4 in a row and at the age of 36 he's certainly an old guy for the lower weights. If the injury is as severe as it looked he could be out for a year regardless, and from there it's really impossible to know whether he will return to the ring, never mind have any sort of success in the sport.
On paper this looked a lot of fun. Both guys have aggressive styles, and they could easy have a tear up with pretty much anyone, and keep us interested.
In the first round Kimura hunted Sabillo, applying pressure and looking to see what Sabillo had to offer. It was relatively quiet from the Filipino, but Sabillo did come alive in round 2, and began to let his shots go. He was aggressive and even forced Kimura to back up at times, as the bout really came alive.
Sadly though all hope of something special ended in round, after what had been a really fun start to the bout, when Sabillo took a huger, counter left hook. The shot was clean but wasn't a knockout punch. Sadly Sabillo's right knee seemed to collapse on it's self when the shot landed.
With Sabillo in clear agony, on the canvas, the referee waved off the bout. It was a freak injury, but it had been caused, at least partly by the left hook of Kimura.
For Kimura this was his return to the ring following an ill fated decision to move to Light Flyweight and challenger Carlos Canizales for the WBA "regular" title. He's now back at Flyweight and in reality this is the division that seems to suit him. Fingers crossed he gets back in the world title mix here, with fights against guys like Angel Acosta, Giemel Magramo, Junto Nakatani, Moruti Mthalane, Artem Dalakian and Julio Cesar Martinez all looking like they could be amazing contests.
As for Sabillo it's hard to know what's next. He's lost 4 in a row and at the age of 36 he's certainly an old guy for the lower weights. If the injury is as severe as it looked he could be out for a year regardless, and from there it's really impossible to know whether he will return to the ring, never mind have any sort of success in the sport.