PINOY PRIDE COLLISION COURSE: VILLANUEVA VS. DEMECILLO SINGWANGCHA
By Rene Bonsubre, Jr.
PhilBoxing.com
Thu, 18 Apr 2013
DAVAO CITY ? Only a handful of Filipino boxing fans have witnessed both of them in action. Most fight aficionados have seen one but not the other. OPBF superflyweight champion ?King? Arthur Villanueva and Philippine superflyweight champion Marco Demecillo Singwangcha fight for different promoters and a few of their bouts have been shown on separate local television networks.
But Cebu boxing writers, who were at ringside in their recent fights, have been salivating ever since this match-up was announced. Two undefeated, up and coming boxers will figure in a ?pick ?em? regional title fight on the undercard of PINOY PRIDE 19.
Two years ago, Villanueva had his first test against a quality Filipino prospect when he faced Mark Anthony Geraldo of Bukidnon in Bacolod City on the undercard of the Donnie Nietes vs Armando Vasquez.
A clash of heads spoiled the action and Villanueva won by a majority technical decision. Geraldo would go on to win a WBO Youth As-Pac title and a world ranking. Villanueva signed with ALA Promotions and appeared in more big ?PINOY PRIDE? cards. Last year, he beat Thai veteran Pramuansak Posuwan by unanimous decision at the Waterfront Hotel in Cebu.
The 24 year old Villanueva (20W (11KO's) - 0L) hails from Bacolod City. He won the OPBF title on the road last December against Japanese Taiki Eto in Tokyo by a narrow unanimous decision. Villanueva was down in rounds one and nine and scored a knockdown of his own in the 4th and won by scores of 113-112 (twice) and 114-112.
?I trained hard for this fight. This is my first OPBF title defense,? Villanueva said during the press conference Thursday at the Royal Mandaya Hotel, ?I know I am fighting a tough opponent. I won?t make any predictions but I have worked hard to win this fight.?
The 22 year old Demecillo (18W(14 KO?s)-0L-1D) is from Lanao del Norte and fights out of the RWS Gym of Cebu. He uses the surname Singwangcha to honor his Thai sponsor, boxing patron Naris Singwangcha.
Demecillo?s career best performance was on April 22, 2012, when he dethroned another undefeated fighter, Marvin Mabait, for the Philippine superflyweight championship in Mactan, Cebu. This was actually a rematch; Mabait and Demecillo fought to a four round majority draw in 2009. In a d?j? vu moment, Demecillo went down again in the opening round. But Mabait punched himself out and Demecillo fired back with hellish body shots and stopped Mabait in the third.
Five months later, Demecillo defended his title against another erstwhile undefeated local fighter, Marjun Tabamo, and dropped him twice en route to a 4th round TKO win.
Demecillo has stopped his last six opponents but the lack of exposure abroad or on a big local stage could hurt him in a close match. Marco has fought in places like Bayawan and Siaton in Negros Oriental and the towns of Dalaguete, Tuburan and Sibonga here in Cebu; not exactly traditional big fight venues.
?I am thankful that I am fighting in a Pinoy Pride event,? Demecillo said, ?I trained hard for this chance. This will be hard fight. No predictions, if I lose I will accept it.?
Villanueva has the edge in boxing skills and big fight experience. Demecillo may have his work cut out for him in his effort to cut the ring off. But Demecillo has shown that he is not just an unsophisticated brawler. Marco has lured many opponents with his version of the ?rope-a-dope? and fights well with his back to the ropes.
This is the trap that Villanueva will have to avoid. He has had trouble with rugged brawlers like Jeffrey Cerna and Rey Migreno. Both Villanueva and Demecillo have exhibited the ability to survive a knockdown and win a fight.
This is one of the most significant all-Filipino match-ups in recent years. Boxing pundits are unanimous in saying that this bout is good enough to be a main event. In a recent conversation, Philboxing editor Dong Secuya went as far as to predict that the winner of this fight is a future world champion.
Philippine boxing is looking for new heroes. We may see one emerge this Saturday at the USEP Gym in Davao.
PHOTO BELOW ? Arthur Villanueva (left) and Marco Demecillo Singwangcha during today?s presscon at the Royal Mandaya Hotel in Davao City
Click here to view a list of other articles written by Rene Bonsubre, Jr..
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