FUENTES AND VILLANUEVA IN OPBF TITLE BOUTS

OPBF flyweight champion Rocky Fuentes of Cebu City will defend his title on December 18 against Yuki Nasu of Japan in Tokyo. The world ranked Fuentes (34W-6L-2D, 20 KO's) has reigned as the Oriental and Pacific Boxing Federation (OPBF) champion in the 112 lb division since March 9, 2010 when he beat Japanese Masafumi Okubo by majority decision in a fight also held in Tokyo. The ALA Gym fighter has since defended his belt thrice on Japanese soil solidifying his reputation as a tested "road warrior".

The 26 year old Fuentes had a successful home defense in Cebu last September by beating Myung Ho Lee by unanimous decision at the Waterfront Hotel.

The 30 year old Nasu (26W-6L, 16 KO's) lost to Fuentes by split decision way back in 2006 in a fight held in Osaka. The fight scheduled at the Korakuen Hall will be Nasu?s first attempt at a regional title. Nasu is ranked number nine by the OPBF.

Then on December 19, Arthur Villanueva of Bacolod City will vie for the vacant OPBF superflyweight title versus Taiki Eto (10W-1L, 7 KO's) of Japan.

The unbeaten Villanueva (20W-0L, 12 KO's) is a former Philippine flyweight champion. In his last fight, he beat the experienced Thai Pramunsak Posuwan by unanimous decision at the Waterfront Hotel last September. Villanueva started his career using the moniker "El Matador" but in his recent fights he has been billed as "King" Arthur. This will be the first try at a regional title for both Eto and Villanueva.

PHOTO - Rocky Fuentes (left) and Arthur Villanueva