Philippines, 18 Sep 2025
  Home >> News

 


BOXERS

CURRENT CHAMPIONS 

FORMER CHAMPIONS   

RATINGS                       

NEWS           

FORUM        

FIGHT GALLERIES        

RING CARD GIRLS        


 
 
News  


Why Villaflor retired at 23


PhilBoxing.com



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:

  • “Thrilla” card takes shape
    By Joaquin Henson, , Thu, 18 Sep 2025
  • Wishing Best to Jayson Vayson in his World Title Challenge!
    By Carlos Costa, , Thu, 18 Sep 2025
  • Vayson aims to make history
    By Joaquin Henson, , Thu, 18 Sep 2025
  • KAIPO GALLEGOS TRAINING CAMP NOTES
    , Thu, 18 Sep 2025
  • Day Two of 2025 USA Boxing National Open Delivers 108 Action-Packed Bouts in Tulsa
    , Thu, 18 Sep 2025
  • Bryce Mills Boxes James Bernadin At del Lago Resort & Casino On Thursday, Oct. 30, in Waterloo, NY
    , Thu, 18 Sep 2025
  • Caribbean Clash Returns Friday, November 7th at Gulfstream Park Casino in Hallandale, Florida
    , Thu, 18 Sep 2025
  • VM Sotto, City Council Recognize GM Joey Antonio
    By Marlon Bernardino, , Thu, 18 Sep 2025
  • Larida is Southern Coach of the Year
    By Lito delos Reyes, , Thu, 18 Sep 2025
  • D.C. Knockout Artist Scooter Davis Signs Promotional Contract with Top Rank
    , Thu, 18 Sep 2025
  • THE PAST WEEK IN ACTION 15 SEPTEMBER 2025: Crawford Snatches Canelo's Undisputed Crown at 168 Lbs; Inoue Defeats Akhmadliev to Retain 4 Superbantam Belts; Crocker Outpoints Donovan
    By Eric Armit, , Wed, 17 Sep 2025
  • TICKET NEWS: EUBANK JR-BENN II ON SALE FROM THIS WEDNESDAY
    , Wed, 17 Sep 2025
  • “Night of Champions” Returns to Caribe Royale Resort in Orlando on September 19
    , Wed, 17 Sep 2025
  • Canelo-Crawford: The Consolidation of Boxing’s New Commercial Empire
    By Gabriel F. Cordero, , Wed, 17 Sep 2025
  • A New Era for Boxing: Canelo vs. Crawford Shatters Global Viewership Records on Netflix
    By Dong Secuya, , Wed, 17 Sep 2025
  • Crawford Not the First Lightweight to Distinguish Himself at Super Middleweight
    By Teodoro Medina Reynoso, , Wed, 17 Sep 2025
  • Kurt Scoby and Josh Popper Headline Boxing Insider Card September 19 in Times Square
    , Wed, 17 Sep 2025
  • Green and Gold 2025: Amateur Boxing’s International Gathering in Bolivia
    By Gabriel F. Cordero, , Wed, 17 Sep 2025
  • Pakistan's Sameer Khan Set to Battle for UBO Youth World Title in Brico Santig’s Sep 27 Show in Thailand
    By Carlos Costa, , Tue, 16 Sep 2025
  • SAMBO Pilipinas is Southern NSA of the Year 2025
    By Lito delos Reyes, , Tue, 16 Sep 2025
  • Kingsley “The Black Lion” Ibeh To headline historic “Legacy Nights” Inaugural Pro Boxing event in El Salvador
    , Tue, 16 Sep 2025
  • Smarts over power
    By Joaquin Henson, , Tue, 16 Sep 2025
  • HALL OF FAME FLIES FLAGS AT HALF-STAFF FOR TWO-DIVISION CHAMPION RICKY HATTON
    , Tue, 16 Sep 2025
  • Kazakhstan tops the medal table at the inaugural World Boxing Championships 2025 thanks to victory in the final bout of the competition
    , Tue, 16 Sep 2025
  • THRILLA IN MANILA GOLDEN ANNIVERSARY 13: JOE FRAZIER’S HUMBLE BEGINNINGS AS AN AMATEUR FIGHTER
    By Maloney L. Samaco, , Mon, 15 Sep 2025




  •  



     
    PhilBoxing.com has been created to support every aspiring
    Filipino boxer and the Philippine boxing scene in general.
    Please send comments to feedback@philboxing.com


    PRIVATE POLICY | LEGAL DISCLAIMER
    developed and maintained by dong secuya
    © 2025 philboxing.com.