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JUNJUN SABILLO, ARTHUR VILLANUEVA: THE NEW BOXING PRIDE OF NEGROS

By Chito Yu Katangkatang
PhilBoxing.com
Fri, 28 May 2010


Merlito Sabillo, Jr. and Arthur Villanueva.

Negros Island is home to the greatest boxers our country has ever produced minus Manny Pacquiao and Gabriel ?Flash? Elorde. Many of us are familiar with younger breed of Negrense boxing world champions but some Pinoy boxing legends are surprisingly sons of our beloved island. Let me give you a brief list of World Boxing Champions who came from Negros.



































































Name

Place of Birth

World Title

Year Active

Donnie ?Ahas?
Nietes

Murcia

WBO Minimumweight

2003 to Present

Gerry ?Fearless?
Pe?alosa

San Carlos City

WBC Super Flyweight,
WBO Super Bantamweight

1989 to Present

Dodie Boy Pe?alosa

San Carlos City

IBF Light Flyweight,
IBF Flyweight

1982 to 1995

Rolando Bohol

Murcia

IBF Flywight

1984 to 1994

Onyok Velasco

Bago City

Olympic Silver Medal

1996

Joma Gamboa

Bacolod City

WBA Minimumweight

1993 to 2004

Benjamin ?Small
Montana? Gan

La Carlota City

World Flyweight

1933 to 1942

Francisco ?Pancho
Villa? Guilledo

Ilog

World Flyweight

1921 to 1925

Ben Villaflor

Bacolod City

WBA Junior
Lightweight

1966 to 1976


The author might have overlooked some names but the main point is that Negros is very rich in terms of boxing talents.

Last year, a Christian Evangelist in the person of Reverend Henry Guanzon established a professional boxing stable in Mansilingan, Bacolod City. The Man had so much passion for boxing and had a vision of producing world champions from Negros. Despite the financial risks of the project, Rev. Guanzon pursued his plans and started training young men who had the raw talent, determination, and dedication to train and work hard. He promoted local boxing events showcasing his stable fighters notwithstanding the financial setbacks it had cost him. He organized good fights in order to build up the experience and exposure of his fighters. After barely more than a year of toiling, two of his fighters became Rated No. 1 in the country by the Games and Amusement Board.

The first top prospect is Philippine rated no. 1 Minimumweight Merlito ?The Tiger? Sabillo, Jr. who has a record of 11 Wins (5Kos), 0 Losses, 0 Draws. Sabillo is 21 years old and was born in Toboso, Negros Occidental but is currently residing in Brgy. Singcang, Bacolod City. Sabillo is the second of three siblings. He was on his first semester in college when he decided to stop studying due to financial constraints and decided to find a job in order to help his parents. Not being able to find a good paying job, Junjun decided to try fighting as an amateur boxer at the age of 19. After nine fights, he decided to turn professional in order to get bigger purses and be of more help to his family. He met Rev. Guanzon in one of his amateur fights. Seeing his potential, Guanzon took him into the stable when he expressed his interest of turning professional. He first fought Powell Balaba of Bohol in his debut and won via UD. He continued his winning streaks and faced formidable opponents in the likes of Arnel Tadena and Jet Li Purisima. Sabillo is scheduled to fight Mike Rodriguez of General Santos City on May 29, 2010, 3PM at the Casino Filipino Hotel, Goldenfield, Bacolod City as Main Event in the Boxing Blow by Blow Series presented by JR Eagle Promotions.

The second top prospect is Philippine rated no. 1 Flyweight Arthur ?El Matador? Villanueva who brags a record of 11 Wins (8 KOs) 0 Losses, 0 Draws. Villanueva is 21 years old and is a native of Ma-ao, Bago City. Arthur is the eleventh of twelve siblings. He started his amateur career in 2006 when he was still in high school. He decided to turn pro when stopped his studies while he was in second year college. Aside from poverty, it was the fame of Manny Pacquiao which really inspired him to follow his dream of becoming a world champion. After the Guanzon Stable became operational, Arthur applied as a stay-in boxer in the stable and seeing the talent of the kid, Rev. Guanzon took him in. Villanueva fought Allan Magno in his professional debut and easily disposed him via a round 3 knockout victory. His winning streak continued up to his latest conquest wherein he knocked out Darryl Amuncio in the 2nd round in a fight staged in the city of Himamaylan. Villanueva is set to fight Nikong Calamba on as co-main event in the Boxing Blow by Blow series this coming Saturday.

Sabillo is famous for his slugger-brawler style. He is a very exciting warrior who doesn?t know the word retreat. He has a very strong chin and a very unbelievable stamina. Junjun is a natural crowd pleaser. His victory over Rodriguez this coming Saturday will ensure him of a Title Fight for the Philippine Minimumweight Belt on the last week of July.

Villanueva is a very stylish fighter. His speed and ring generalship reminds us of a younger Nonito Donaire Jr. His power can never be underestimated as well. His eight knock out victories will tell us why. Arthur is a thinking fighter. He can adjust from one fighting style to another in order to confuse his opponent. His movement inside the ring is a real work of art. Being rated number 1, a victory by El Matador this coming Saturday can earn him a shot at the Philippine Flyweight Belt come last week of July.

Boxing Blow by Blow is a continuing series of fights showcasing local boxing talents of Negros both amateur and professional. The event is being promoted by JR Eagle Promotions. It aims to develop and discover more boxing prospects in Negros and to eventually put Bacolod City in the map of world class boxing.

Note: This article is taken from the author?s column ?Bare Knuckle? published every Thursday at Negros Daily Bulletin.



Click here to view a list of other articles written by Chito Yu Katangkatang.
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