Filipino boxer Arthur Villanueva will get his third world title shot when he fights World Boxing Council (WBC) bantamweight champion Nordine Oubaali on July 6 at the Barys Arena in Astana, Kazakhstan.
?It?s going to be a 50-50 chance. I?m not pressured to score a KO though it?s part of our game plan. If I don?t beat him by KO that?s still okay,? The 30-year old Villanueva (32-3-1 win-loss-draw record with 18 knockouts) told The Manila Times in Filipino on Sunday.
Villanueva?s last attempt to win a world title ended with a unanimous decision loss to South African Zolani Tete for the World Boxing Organization bantamweight belt last April 22, 2017 in London.
Advertisements His first world title bout for the vacant IBF super flyweight title was against McJoe Arroyo, which he lost by technical decision last July 18, 2015 in El Paso, Texas.
The Bago City, Negros Occidental native said that this could be his last attempt to become a world champion.
?It?s now or never. So I have to bring out my best. I?m also confident that I can last until the 12th round,? said Villanueva.
Oubaali, 32, is unbeaten in 15 fights with 11 knockouts. He is coming off a unanimous decision win over American Rau?shee Warren last January 19 in Las Vegas, Nevada for the vacant WBC belt.
Villanueva and trainer coach Edito Villamor is due to fly to Kazakhstan anytime next week.
