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Philippines, 18 Jul 2026 |
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FILIPINO TRAINER BOBBY VILLAVER: THE KIND BIG BROTHER OF HAWAII BOXING (PHOTOS) By Carlos Costa PhilBoxing.com Wed, 10 Jul 2013  Villaber (L) and Lisa Ha. HONOLULU, Hawaii - Sometimes months pass by without a boxing card in Hawaii. But that does not affect the enthusiasm and hard work of the most popular and busy boxing trainer in the whole of Hawaii, Filipino Bobby Villaver. Yes, if there are fight cards or not, Bobby keeps on training anyone really interested in boxing, without ever asking for money. "I do it for free. I love to help young people and adults to be in shape and Boxing is my passion," shares Bobby, a member of a proud family of boxers. Bobby used to fight and his brother, Erwin Villaver, 46, was a former welterweight fighter. "High school kids or college kids, boys, girls, adults, any serious person committed to training in boxing, I'd help. I'd do happily. Money is not my interest. I love to help. It fills my heart. Besides, there are no other trainers like me here in Hawaii. So I feel its my duty," commented Bobby getting his mitts ready to help U.S. National Amateur Silver Medalist Lisa Ha. "I help these kids for free. But sometimes, some important boxing promotion company wants me to train their fighters, of course, that's different." For example, years ago Bobby trained unknown Thai boxer Somsak Sithchatchawal who dethroned France's durable, legendary WBA jr. featherweight world champion Mahyar Monshipour on March 18, 2006. Because of the feat, his boxer, Sithchatchawal, became the WBA outstanding fighter of the year. Bobby was born in the Queen City of the South, Cebu. He was a little kid when his family moved to Hawaii where he set up his life. He married a Filipina, the charming and beautiful lady Mrs. Vilma Inferido Villaver of Bohol. Together they have a wonderful marriage and an lovely family blessed with kids and they never forgotten their precious Filipino roots. As of now, Bobby Villaver works for the Government of the County of Honolulu, Hawaii, and his plan is to reach the retiring age, a few more years, and then dedicate himself to train boxers full time. Last year, Bobby Villaver helped in the training of promising Filipino prospects like "The Sniper" Froilan Saludar and Adonis Cabalquinto. Bobby trained them at the 13 Coins Rama IX boxing facility in Bangkok. In addition, Villaver has trained boxers for the top two boxing promotion companies in Thailand, Onesongchai and Kokiet Boxing. Sometimes we see him in Japan where he goes as adviser of boxers disputing world title fights.         PHOTOS: Bobby Villaber in action training his students at his gym. Photos by Carlos Costa. For the meantime, Bobby keeps on working his regular day time work for the government, but in his free time he keeps on training and helping kids, mostly at the Kakaako Boxing Club Gym located at 922 Kaamahu Pl, Honolulu Hawaii. It's fun and tough to train with Bobby Villaver. I see him in action with kids and its shows that Bobby does his best and does it with a passion. Bobby helps fight girl Lisa Ha, 106 lbs, the beautiful Vietnamese-American 2012 U.S. National Silver Medalist (see photos of Bobby and Lisa while training). In addition, our friend Bobby helps in the training of Joshua Kalae McShane, 123 lbs, Sheldon Young, 150 lbs, Will Totten, 175 lbs, Tony Togia, 230 lbs, Leo Kava, 200 lbs. Kevin Onuma acted as assistant trainer. It was an honor sharing time with trainer and big brother Bobby Villaver during training at the Kabaako Boxing Gym in Hawaii. It was a great experience. Kids learn, have a good time and become better boxers, develop friendships and become better human beings. It's fantastic. This is what the spirit of boxing is all about. Kids really feel at ease with Bobby. They can feel the goodness and good intentions and professionalism of Bobby Villaver and they do the exercises and try to follow his instructions with enthusiasm. A good father, husband, family man, boxing trainer and friend, Bobby Villaver is the big brother in Hawaiian boxing, a kind polite man who makes a difference for good in this world. Click here to view a list of other articles written by Carlos Costa.  |
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