FILIPINO RUFINO VYING OPBF FEATHERWEIGHT TITLE TODAY

The 28 year old southpaw fighter of Johnny Elorde in Sucat, Paranaque City also has a chance to claim Matsuda`s lofty number 13 ranking in
the World Boxing Council (WBC) in case he succeed in the scheduled 12-round title fight.

Rufino, a southpaw, said he expects a fair decision should the fight went in distance because of Danseco.
“I`m lucky to have a fellow Filipino in my quest for stardom because at least I will concentrate in the fight and I will not be bother with
the decision anymore, although I know OPBF judges are known for their impatiality and fairness,” said Rufino, who has arrived in Tokyo three days
before the fight.
Danseco, a sports editor-journalist from Manila, is the lone Filipino licensed international boxing judge of the WBC in the last three years. He has taken his international recognition as
one of the best judges in world three years ago when WBC president made him the first Filipino to work in two separate major title bouts in Mexico, including light

flyweight champ Edgar Sosa`s title defense against Filipino Juanito Rubillar, a WBC junior flyweight eliminator, and title bouts in North American Boxing

Federation and WBC Continental Americas in June and November 2008.
But Rufino`s trainer Mario Lumacad they will go for a knockout inside six rounds.

“We will try it as early as possible,” said Lumacad, who will work at Rufino`s corner with Elorde.

Elorde`s wife Liza Vicencio-Elorde will cheer at ringside while at least 20 Filipino workers and tourists are expected to root for their countryman.

“Vinvin has trained very hard for this fight and we`re here to support him to move towards a possible WBC world title fight after he wins this
fight,” said Liza.

There will be a Japanese judge and a Thai scoring-referee to complete the casts of officials at ringside. The Japanese Boxing Commission and
OPBF officials, headed by Yewkow Hayashi and Tsuyoshi Yasukochi.