KING ARTHUR VILLANUEVA IN A TOUGH FIGHT THIS SATURDAY BUT SHOULD PREVAIL
By Ed de la Vega, DDS
PhilBoxing.com
Wed, 15 Jul 2015
Regardless of personal boxing records, it?s not too often that boxers get a chance to fight meaningful title fights abroad particularly if one comes from a small country and does not yet carry a huge ?name-recognition?.
Such is the case for King Arthur Villanueva of Bago City, Negros Occidental, a well-deserved holder of a 27-0-0, 14KO record and the IBF International Super Flyweight Champion. Villanueva is a product of the famed ALA Boxing Gym at Mandaue, Cebu and multi award trainer, Edito Villamor.
Villanueva meets fellow undefeated fighter in Puerto Rican McJoe Arroyo (16-0-0, 8KO) on Saturday July 18th at the Don Haskins Center in El Paso, Texas for the vacant IBF World Super flyweight title
While I agree with ALA Promotions President Michael Aldeguer that the title challenge will not be easy for Villanuena given that he fights in the US for the first time and that Arroyo can claim home court advantage, I still feel that Villanueva will come out victorious.
Villanueva is far more experienced than Arroyo and is a fighter that is hungry for more. It will not be too far off to say that he will leave all in the ring to allow him to take the title back home to the Philippines.
Arroyo who is the present WBO Latino super flyweight champion may be undefeated but his latest fights were against a little known Mark Geraldo (31-6-3, 14KO) in December 2014. Villanueva defeated Geraldo back in 2009. His other fight was against Hernan ?Tyson? Marquez (39-5-1, 28KO) in June 2014. Marquez once succumbed to another little known Filipino Richie Mepranum (29-4-1, 7KO) in March 2012 in Texas. I would never forget that fight, as I was the cutman for Mepranum. Mepranum gave Marquez his first defeat. In fairness, Marquez beat Mepranum in a re-match later via a unanimous decision.
Villanueva in the meantime won his last three fights, beating Mexican Julio Cesar Miranda, (38-12-2) by a wide UD, Nicaraguan Henry Maldonado (19-4-0, 14KO) and another Mexican Fernando Aguilar.
Beating Latinos could become a habit for Villanueva. Arroyo, being one can easily be the 4th consecutive Latino victim.
Last week, I had the pleasure of fitting Villanueva his new mouthguards. Per Texas rules, I made him two, a black one for the fight and a red-black-white (ALA Gym colors) for his required back-up mouthguard.
I watched Villanueva train with Villamor at the Wildcard Gym for the first time ever. Villamor informed me that he is amazed how Villanueva managed jet lag. ?He was no longer jet lagged a day after we arrived in LA,? Villamor stated. ?He adapted quickly to LA time and slept like a log,? he added.
What impressed me about the young international champion was his dedication to training and his hand speed and power. Over an early dinner after training I got to talk to him at length and I found him very polite and respectful. Above all, he was focused and raring to show the North American fans live and on TV what he is all about. A true Filipino world champion!
The ALA Boxing Gym could well have another world champion in their midst!
Photo: Villanueva poses with the author.
Click here to view a list of other articles written by Ed de la Vega, DDS.
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