KING ARTHUR VILLANUEVA TO FIGHT FOR VACANT IBF SUPER FLYWEIGHT TITLE
By Ronnie Nathanielsz
PhilBoxing.com
Wed, 03 Jun 2015
The Philippines No. 3 ranked ?King Arthur? Villanueva will fight No. 1 ranked McJoe Arroyo of Puerto Rico for the IBF world super flyweight title in the United States, possibly on July 16.
The title was relinquished by South Africa?s Zolani Tete who refused to accept the terms for a title defense against Arroyo following a purse bid won by Golden Boy Promotions and decided to vacate the title giving Villanueva a chance for a title shot against the talented Arroyo.
Peter Rivera, vice president of PR Best Boxing Promotions revealed that he had already opened negotiations with ALA Promotions president Michael Aldeguer who was in Mexico last weekend when Milan Melindo dropped a controversial 6th round technical decision against IBF light flyweight champion Javier Mendoza.
Rivera noted that he has ?already worked before (with Aldeguer) and there should be no problem for the fight to take place.? Rivera said ?we have a tentative date, which is July 18 in the United States, which is what we are working on.?
Trainer Edito ?Ala? Villamor welcomed the news of the title shot when the New Standard/boxingmirror informed him while in Los Angeles en route back home.
Villamor told us ?that?s a good fight. We have to prepare Villanueva the best ever because Arroyo is a tough fighter.?
He said Villanueva ?is always training and we are confident there will be no problem. Arthur will give his best.?
The 26 year old Villanueva is undefeated with a record of 27-0 with 14 knockouts but has had somewhat of an inconsistent showing in the ring. He a ten round unanimous decision over former world flyweight champion Julio Cesar Pingo Miranda last February 7 but had a hard time against Henry Maldonado of Nicaragua before winning a twelve round split decision in a battle for the vacant IBF International title on Septemberb5, 2014.
McJoe Arroyo is the identical twin brother of McWilliams Arroyo who earned a shot at the IBF flyweight title with a stunning 2nd round TKO over previously unbeaten Filipino Froilan ?Sniper? Saludar on June 19, 2014 in a title eliminator but subsequently lost by a twelve round split decision against Thailand?s world champion Amnat Ruenroeng who is scheduled to face former IBF junior flyweight champion Johnreil Casimero in Bangkok on June 27.
An Olympian like his twin brother, McJoe Arroyo won a unanimous decision over Filipino Mark Anthony Geraldo in a IBF title eliminator on December 20, 2014 after scoring an 11th round TKO victory over former world champion Hernan ?Tyson? Marquez of Mexico on June 14, 2014.
As an amateur, Arroyo was a bronze medalist at the 2007 World Amateur Boxing Championships in Chicago and at the 2006 Central American and Caribbean Games in Colombia.
Click here to view a list of other articles written by Ronnie Nathanielsz.
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