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Philippines, 02 Jul 2025 |
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MELINDO OPPONENT ANTHONY VILLAREAL INTERVIEW PhilBoxing.com Fri, 08 Jan 2010  WBC Intercontinental Youth Champion Anthony "Baby Assassin" Villarreal will defend his title on January 14th, 2010 in Cebu City Philippine's when he takes on World Ranked Milan Melindo 19W-0L (5 KO's) of the Philippines. Villarreal an amateur standout was ranked #1 in the amateurs for 3 years and compiled an impressive 91W-8L record including multiple National titles before turning professional in 2004. As a professional he has 9 wins, 2 losses with 5 of his wins coming by way of knock out. One of his questionable losses was to the Brazilian 2000 Olympian Jose Albuquerque. Anthony lets start off with your loss to Albuquerque, I know many who attended thought you won that fight, what are your thoughts about that? Without a doubt I beat him, I took the fight to him and they still gave him a split decision. There were some issues going into this fight that didn't have anything to do with me but I think it was taken out on me. My coach said that he lost because of him, I don't want to get into details but the guy bit me in the chest, drew blood and the ref said he didn't see it so it must of not happened? I don't understand when you have teeth marks on your chest with blood around it do you really need to have seen it happen? I dropped him in the 2nd round and it was called a slip? whatever. So you feel there were politics involved? and would you want a rematch? Rematch? anytime! anyplace! I think he is a nice guy, I like him personally as a person but hell yes I will fight anyone including friends, this is my business and I take it very seriously. As far as it being political, I am not saying that and that's it as far as that subject goes. Anthony you are taking a huge step in your career by fighting Melindo, are you ready for this fight? I have been waiting for a fight like this all my life, I have been boxing since I was 9 years old, I am almost 23 now and even though I only have 11 fights I know I am ready, I've been ready! What do you know about your opponent? Not much, I have seen some video footage of him, but I had never heard of him before this fight. From what I have seen he is a technical boxer with a little speed. I think I have too much movement and speed for him, plus I know I can hurt him, I have put every opponent I have faced down even the ones that slipped. But to be honest I really don't care; I just want to fight! I WILL FIGHT ANYONE, ANYTIME AND IN ANYPLACE! Sounds like the words of a true fighter. What are you doing to prepare for this fight? I am working extra hard for this fight, running at 6AM, in the gym for 3 hours in the afternoon and working on my strength and speed everyday. I am getting my timing and movement dialed in and come January 14th it will all fall into place. Where did you set up camp for this fight, we know that you work with Al Franco who is well known and respected in boxing? I train out of the Apple Valley PAL gym in Apple Valley, my coach actually has me and his son's Mike who you know and Daniel work with the kids there. So we coach and train out of this gym. Its a nice gym and everyone is real supportive there. Are you a paid coach there? You kidding! (laughter) no we "volunteer" our time there but its all good. The kids there work really hard and that's unusual in a amateur gym. Most gyms with young kids are playgrounds or places for parents to drop off their kids, but not here. In the beginning I thought that the program coach had put together would be too hard for these kids, but i was wrong, the kids love it. It really surprised me that they have all taken to it so well, these kids work hard, I mean really hard and they are getting good, we have 8 year old's that can do 200 sit-ups or 100 push up's with out stopping? I don't mind it at all, plus overall we represent the gym together. Good stuff Anthony, I think kids need to have professional athletes such as yourself and Mike in the gyms with them, I'm sure that it motivates them. How do you feel about fighting in another Country and what are your concerns? Well traveling I have lots of experience with, but I have never been to the Philippines. I am really excited about that; I have traveled all over the Country as an amateur so being the visitor won't bother me at all. Plus the Philippine people know boxing so I am sure that they will appreciate my skills. I just hope the judges do as well, I know it will be tough for me to get a fair decision no matter what I do, but I have to fight, I have to beat this guy bad. I really have to try and not let this guy make it to the end. If I beat him enough that I feel I won and they take the fight away from me, we will protest it. But again the Philippine people are good people and I hope that they (judges) are fair. I honestly believe though that my style will give him trouble and our game plan will give me many opportunities to hurt this guy. I guarantee you that he has never faced anyone like me, I will make him miss but will always be right in front of him countering, every time he misses he will pay. I just don't see him having anything to beat me with! Anything you want to say in closing? I want to thank my coach for putting in the hard work, my fans, my family who have always supported me and all the kids from our gym for motivating me. Anthony, you have been a pleasure to interview and we wish you the best of luck in your up and coming bout and in all your future bouts. Thank you for taking the time and giving me the opportunity to get my name out there.  |
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