'El Matador' Villanueva to defend OPBF crown
By Jerome S. Galunan Jr.
PhilBoxing.com
Mon, 08 Apr 2013
(WATCHMEN DAILY JOURNAL) -- Reigning and undefeated OPBF superflyweight champion Arthur ?El Matador? Villanueva of Top Prime Stable is eyeing his 21st victory as he is scheduled to defend his title on April 20 for the Pinoy Pride XIX, at the University of Southeastern Philippines gym, in Davao City.
Villanueva, who hails from Bago City, Negros Occidental, puts his unblemished record at stake against Philippine champion Marco Demecillo of the Wakee Salud Stable in the undercard of the World Boxing Organization (WBO) International featherweight championship match between defending titlist Rey ?Boom-Boom? Bautista and Mexican challenger Jose ?Negro? Ramirez.
Meanwhile, Top Prime Stable manager, Rev. Henry Guanzon, yesterday said he finds this upcoming fight a great one for his prot?g?, Villanueva.
?For sure, the fighter with the better game plan, physical conditioning and execution gains the edge. I advised Arthur (Villanueva) to use his jabs and good footwork. If he can do that then the game is over,? Guanzon said.
Villanueva won the vacant OPBF super flyweight title via unanimous decision over Taiki Eto of Japan last year at the famed Korakuen Hall in Tokyo.
Despite having dropped twice into the canvas during the early first round, Villanueva was able to pick himself and outboxed Eto in the second and third rounds.
In the fourth, ?El Matador? got the Japanese with a big overhand knocking the latter fighter followed by taking rounds five and six. However, Eto was able to recover in the seventh, but Villanueva took control of the eighth frame before the Bago City-born fighter received another setback in the ninth.
Villanueva got back his rhythm in the following rounds, though, and finally got the judges? decision: 113-112, 114-112 and 113-112.
Villanueva is among the latest boxing champions from Negros Occidental that include WBO Lightflyweight titlist Donnie ?Ahas? Nietes of Murcia; newly-crowned Interim WBO Minimumweight champion Merlito ?Tiger? Sabillo of Toboso; and WBO-OPBF Superflyweight title holder Genesis ?Azukal? Servania of Bacolod.
The Villanueva-Demecillo fight is promoted by ALA Promotions, the country?s premier and world-class boxing promotional giant.
Michael Aldeguer, president and CEO of ALA Promotions, is also hoping that they can fill up the 8,000 seats of USEP gym. Tickets are pegged at P150 (general admission), P500 (courtside seats), P1,000 (4th row), P1,500 (3rd row), P2,000 (2nd row) and P3,000 (VIP 1st row). The first to fourth rows are all reserved and limited seats.
Photo: Reigning and undefeated OPBF superflyweight champion Arthur ?El Matador? Villanueva poses with Bago City councilor, Atty. Allan Galunan, after receiving the commendation from the Sangguniang Panlungsod.
Click here to view a list of other articles written by Jerome S. Galunan Jr..
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