Why Villaflor retired at 23
By Joaquin Henson
PhilBoxing.com
Wed, 03 Aug 2022
Ben Villaflor.
It’s not widely known why former WBA superfeatherweight or junior lightweight champion Ben Villaflor retired from the ring at 23. In a recent week-long visit to Manila after a 30-year absence, Villaflor divulged never-before-disclosed details about his boxing career during an interview by PlayItRightTV.
Villaflor, 69, quit boxing after losing the WBA crown to Sammy Serrano on a unanimous 15-round decision in San Juan, Puerto Rico, in 1976. “I wouldn’t consider Serrano the toughest fighter I faced because all he did was run around,” said Villaflor. “Victor Echegaray of Argentina was the toughest, he was big, strong and tall. We fought to a draw and I would’ve lost if not for scoring knockdowns in the seventh and 13th rounds. After the Serrano fight, I consulted a doctor. A bone was broken in my hand and my elbow was shattered. The doctor told me if I fight again, I might never be able to use my arm. So I decided to retire from the ring.”
It wasn’t Villaflor’s first brush with a major injury. In 1975, he was diagnosed with a detached retina in the right eye. Villaflor said his vision blurred in the seventh round of his fight against Korean Kim Chi Hyun at the Araneta Coliseum. “His thumb poked my eye and I couldn’t see,” said Villaflor who soldiered on to score a split decision in retaining the WBA title. “I was advised not to travel because my eye could burst so I underwent surgery in Manila. Dr. Ramon Batungbacal did the operation. I was in the hospital for a month and it took six months before I could do physical contact so during my recovery, I only ran and did drills in the gym.”
Villaflor made his pro debut in 1966 and was only 13. “My brother Ernesto was a pro and I learned boxing from him,” he said. “We sparred together. Ernesto is eight years older and now lives in Colorado. When I saw Ernesto box, I told myself I can do this. I was pulled in for a fight with no pay because the promoter needed a fighter at short notice. That was my first fight and I wasn't paid. My first pay as a pro was P20 and my biggest pay was $175,000 for the Serrano fight.”
Villaflor was born in Hacienda Florentina, Tanjay, Negros Oriental and moved to Hawaii to pursue his dream of becoming a world champion in 1971. He settled down in Honolulu after falling in love with a Hawaiian, Denise who’s half-Filipina. The Villaflors have three children and six grandchildren. A daughter is an administrator at a pre-school while a son is a police lieutenant and another son works at an oil refinery. One of Villaflor’s grandchildren Benny, 20, is trying out for the Maharlika Manila Football Club. It’s the reason why Villaflor flew in.
Click here to view a list of other articles written by Joaquin Henson.
Recent PhilBoxing.com In-House articles:
Herlan Gomez Faces Jason Moloney in Australia: A Battle of Youth vs Experience (Analysis)
By Carlos Costa, Thu, 23 Oct 2025GM Joey Antonio shares the lead in Italy World Seniors Chess Championships
By Marlon Bernardino, Thu, 23 Oct 2025Ronny Alvarez Shines with 5th Round TKO Victory Over Bruno Pola on DAZN
Thu, 23 Oct 2025TICKETS ON SALE NOW AS FLORES FACES CORDINA IN STOCKTON SHOWDOWN
Thu, 23 Oct 2025Teflon Promotions Presents: The Replay: The Volume 1 on Saturday November 22nd at The 6th Man Center in Philadelphia
Thu, 23 Oct 2025DAY TWO: CHUA CRASHES OUT AS MANAS MARCHES ON IN MANILA
Thu, 23 Oct 2025Doncic equals Kobe's record in the Lakers' NBA season opener
By Gabriel F. Cordero, Thu, 23 Oct 2025THRILLA IN MANILA GOLDEN ANNIVERSARY 21: THE RELATIONSHIP OF MUHAMMAD ALI AND JOE FRAZIER
By Maloney L. Samaco, Wed, 22 Oct 2025Sumabong is new WBO Asia Pacific minimumweight champ
By Lito delos Reyes, Wed, 22 Oct 2025Happy Birthday Reymart Soledad!
By Carlos Costa, Wed, 22 Oct 2025October 30: Mary Spencer-Mikaela Mayer Super Welterweight Title Showdown to Stream LIVE on Top Rank Classics FAST Channel
Wed, 22 Oct 2025Pinoy chessers off to hot start in Italy World Senior Chess Championships
By Marlon Bernardino, Wed, 22 Oct 2025Round 12 with Mauricio Sulaimán: The Finalists for the WBC Grand Prix are Set
By Mauricio Sulaimán, Wed, 22 Oct 2025Traya to fight again in Thailand on Oct. 25
By Lito delos Reyes, Wed, 22 Oct 2025Texas super middleweight Darius Fulghum Preparing to get back in the title hunt
Wed, 22 Oct 2025