Quick Facts
Biography
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.
Professional record
| 25 Wins (12 Knockouts, 13 Decisions), 3 Losses (2 Knockouts), 1 Draw | |||||||
| Res. | Record | Opponent | Type | Rd., Time | Date | Location | Notes |
| Loss | 25-3-1 |  Riku Kano | SD | 10 | 2016-05-08 | Bunka Center, Sanda Hyogo, Japan | Lost to interim OPBF Minimumweight title. |
| Win | 25-2-1 |  Jack Amisa | UD | 6 | 2015-11-29 |  La Trinidad Municipal Gymnasium, La Trinidad, Benguet, Philippines | |
| Win | 24-2-1 | Powell Balaba | UD | 6 | 2015-06-12 | L' Fisher Hotel, La Proa Ballroom, Bacolod City, Negros Occidental, Philippines | |
| Loss | 23-2-1 | Ellias Nggenggo | TKO | 4 (10), 1:50 | 2014-11-15 | Cebu City Waterfront Hotel & Casino, Cebu City, Cebu | |
| Loss | 23-1-1 |  Francisco Rodriguez, Jr. | TKO | 10 (12), 1:50 | 2014-03-22 | Monterrey Arena, Monterrey, Nuevo León | Lost WBO Minimumweight title. |
| Draw | 23-0-1 |  Carlos Buitrago | SD | 12 | 2013-11-29 | Smart Araneta Coliseum, Quezon City, Metro Manila | Retained WBO Minimumweight title. |
| Win | 23-0 |  Jorle Estrada | TKO | 9 (12), 1:09 | 2013-07-13 | Solaire Resort & Casino, Pasay City, Metro Manila | Retained WBO Minimumweight title. |
| Win | 22-0 | Luis De la Rosa | TKO | 8 (12), 2:52 | 2013-03-09 | Coliseo Mario de León, Cereté | Won Interim WBO Minimumweight title. |
| Win | 21-0 | Rollen Del Castillo | RTD | 1 (10), 3:00 | 2012-12-15 | PAGCOR Hotel and Casino, Bacolod City, Negros Occidental | |
| Win | 20-0 | Jovel Romasasa | KO | 1 (8), 2:50 | 2012-09-22 | Waterfront Cebu City Hotel & Casino, Cebu City, Cebu | |
| Win | 19-0 | Jonathan Refugio | TKO | 7 (12), 2:36 | 2012-05-04 | L' Fisher Hotel, Bacolod City, Negros Occidental | Retained OPBF Minimumweight title. |
| Win | 18-0 | Sofyan Effendi | UD | 8 | 2012-01-28 | Waterfront Cebu City Hotel & Casino, Cebu City, Cebu | |
| Win | 17-0 | Rodel Tejares | UD | 12 | 2011-10-08 | University of St. La Salle, Bacolod City, Negros Occidental | Won vacant OPBF Minimumweight title. |
| Win | 16-0 | Roger Echavez | TKO | 7 (12), 2:45 | 2011-04-30 | PAGCOR Hotel and Casino, Bacolod City, Negros Occidental | Retained Philippines Games & Amusement Board Minimumweight title. |
| Win | 15-0 | Jade Yagahon | KO | 3 (10), 1:20 | 2011-02-26 | PAGCOR Hotel and Casino, Bacolod City, Negros Occidental | |
| Win | 14-0 | Donny Mabao | MD | 12 | 2010-11-20 | PAGCOR Hotel and Casino, Bacolod City, Negros Occidental | Retained Philippines Games & Amusement Board Minimumweight title. |
| Win | 13-0 | Jetly Purisima | UD | 12 | 2010-08-01 | PAGCOR Hotel and Casino, Bacolod City, Negros Occidental | Won vacant Philippines Games & Amusement Board Minimumweight title. |
| Win | 12-0 | Amero Ricablanca | RTD | 4 (8), 3:00 | 2010-05-29 | PAGCOR Hotel and Casino, Bacolod City, Negros Occidental | |
| Win | 11-0 | Roel Honor | UD | 10 | 2010-02-21 | PAGCOR Hotel and Casino, Bacolod City, Negros Occidental | |
| Win | 10-0 | Jetly Purisima | UD | 10 | 2009-12-12 | PAGCOR Hotel and Casino, Bacolod City, Negros Occidental | |
| Win | 9-0 | Jetly Purisima | SD | 10 | 2009-08-29 | PAGCOR Hotel and Casino, Bacolod City, Negros Occidental | |
| Win | 8-0 | Fabio Marfa | UD | 10 | 2009-05-30 | PAGCOR Hotel and Casino, Bacolod City, Negros Occidental | |
| Win | 7-0 | Arnel Tadena | RTD | 4 (8), 3:00 | 2009-02-21 | PAGCOR Hotel and Casino, Bacolod City, Negros Occidental | |
| Win | 6-0 | Ruther del Castillo | UD | 8 | 2008-11-29 | PAGCOR Hotel and Casino, Bacolod City, Negros Occidental | |
| Win | 5-0 | Steve Demaisip | KO | 5 (6), 2:59 | 2008-09-20 | PAGCOR Hotel and Casino, Bacolod City, Negros Occidental | |
| Win | 4-0 | Edcel Tunacao | TKO | 3 (6), 0:58 | 2008-07-12 | West Negros University, Bacolod City, Negros Occidental | |
| Win | 3-0 | Leo Torres | TKO | 2 (4), 1:15 | 2008-05-12 | Loay Public Market, Loay, Bohol | |
| Win | 2-0 | Junel Busano | UD | 4 | 2008-03-15 | PAGCOR Hotel and Casino, Bacolod City, Negros Occidental | |
| Win | 1-0 | Powell Balaba | UD | 4 | 2008-01-26 | PAGCOR Hotel and Casino, Bacolod City, Negros Occidental | Professional debut. |