IF THERE is one prospect in the ALA Boxing Gym that has the promise of becoming a world champion and a star in the boxing ring, that would be Arthur Villanueva.
?Arthur was impressive. He showed a lot of heart and definitely has the potential to be a world champion and the makings of a star,? ALA Promotions president Michael Aldeguer told Sun.Star Cebu yesterday.
Aldeguer was impressed by what the 24-year-old Villanueva displayed in his first fight against a Mexican boxer last Saturday night at the Solaire Resort and Casino in Para?aque City.
Villanueva, 23-0 with 13 knockouts, stopped former world title challenger Arturo Badillo in the fourth round to snag the vacant World Boxing Organization (WBO) Asia-Pacific super flyweight crown.
?He has a lot of heart and is versatile, he can box and he can slug. He showed everyone his boxing skills against (Marco) Demecillo and he could slug it out with a puncher like Badillo and take a punch. What he needs is a few more years of experience,? said Aldeguer.
Villanueva showed his resiliency in his last two fights. In his unanimous win over slugger Marco Demecillo, Villanueva banked on his jab and his accurate counterpunching. Against Badillo, he resorted to slug it out and demolished the Mexican slugger in his own game.
?Arthur also has a fan-friendly style that is exciting to watch which is good for the TV audience,? said the Cebuano promoter.
Villanueva is currently ranked No. 10 in both the World Boxing Association (WBA) and the WBO, rated seventh in the International Boxing Federation (IBF) and 16th in the World Boxing Council (WBC). His rank in the WBO will improve after his win over Badillo.
Venezuelan Liborio Solis (15-3-1, 7 KOs) is the current WBA champion, Thai Srisaket Sor Rungvisai (19-3-1, 18 KOs) holds the WBC belt and Omar Narvaez is the WBO titleholder. The IBF crown is currently vacant.
?I want to fight Omar Narvaez,? Villanueva said when asked who he wants to fight in his weight division.
Villanueva may not be given his request just yet but it will be just a matter of time before he gets his world title shot.
?Hopefully in two years. He needs one or two more fights against a big name fighter before a title fight,? said Aldeguer.
