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Philippines, 14 May 2026 |
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FIL-AM BOBBY VILLAVER: THAILAND'S NOT-SO-SECRET WEAPON PhilBoxing.com Fri, 01 Jun 2007 It is no longer such a secret among boxing managers and promoters in Thailand that a Carcar, Cebu-born Fil-Am Hawaiian trainer is the reason why all of a sudden Thai boxers are looked upon as a threat to world contenders and champions defending their world title. Alberto "Bobby" Villaver is now truly a trainer to be reckoned with after coming back from Puerto Rico having his Thai boxer Prawet Singwangcha who most people gave little chance of winning the fight, surprised boxing experts and fans in Puerto Rico of his domination over Jose Cotto, that even fans "booed" the decision of the judges against their own home boy for having the Thai warrior on a receiving end of a Majority Draw/ Everyone at the fight including the network commentators and ringside media clearly saw Singwangcha winning against Jose Miguel Cotto for the vacant WBA lightweight title. Well, some say it was shame on boxing earning another black eye for the sport. But back to the story. Fil-Am Villaver was raised with the likes of Philippines former world champion and contenders Ben Villaflor, Rolando Navarete, Boy Vasquez, Bert Nabalatan, Andy Ganigan, Jesus Salud, Cecil Esibido and Noel Adigado. Villaver surely gained knowledge and experience of how boxers should be trained by being and training along with them. He gained more experience by training fellow Filipinos who were based in Hawaii. The son of Flash Elorde, Gabriel "Bebot" Elorde, Jr. took notice of Villavers training ethics, technique and conditioning that given Elorde's trust on having his fighters train with Villaver during their stay in Hawaii. "Villaver is a natural good trainer" said Elorde on a telephone conversation. Remember Rolando Bohol, Roberto Granciosa, Edel Geronimo, Tiger Ari, Pacquito Opinio, Jun Gorres, Andy Tabanas, Jesus Salud, Juanito Rubillar, Eric Jamili, Don Don Concepcion and Pedro Malco, who all belong to a list of Filipino boxers who had a chance to train with Villaver during their stay in Hawaii and all have been saying that Bobby is such a terrific trainer. He first burst into the world scene when his brother Erwin Villaver who he trained to fight against the reighning WBF world champion William Magahin May 27, 1995 and also on July 31, 1999 Eric Morales vs. Reynante Jamili WBC encounter in Mexico where he assisted former world champion Erbito Salavarria in the corner for that WBC world title match. Then having been contacted by his close friend Leon Panoncillo, he had an opportunity to train all the Thai boxers of Kokiet Group Promotions for the inauguration of the first World Cup, Mexico vs. Thailand that gave Villaver credibility after all the Thai boxers put up a great fight against Mexico's elite on that inauguration that made the World Cup very successful. With all that background experience and after 12 years Villaver hit it big in Thailand for training ESPN fighter of the year Somsak Sithchatchawal, a Jr. Featherweight contender no one new about until he dispose of the France legendary WBA world champion Mahyar Monshipour on March 18, 2006 to win the WBA world Jr. featherweight title and most recently turned average Prawet Singwangcha into a masterful technician in the ring to what many Puerto Rico's boxing fan observers saw the Thai Singwangcha winning and only being clearly robbed from rightfuly his WBA title in Puerto Rico. We all see that Thai boxers have a lot of heart when it comes to boxing however, if someone like Bobby who has the mechanics of a good trainer comes along and start training fighters with heart, it will surely be a positive outcome. Heart plus skilled Thai fighters equals world-beaters in the making, and that's whats Bob has done. Even the "Picasso" man himself Sampson Lewkowicz who represented Singwangcha was very surprised of how Prawet Singwangcha handled Cotto. "I am amazed, this is the first time I have seen a Thai Kid that can fight like this," said Lewkowicz. In an interview with PhilBoxing today, Villaver has mentioned that he is planning to be based in Thailand and retire from his job working with the City and County of Honolulu, Hawaii to pursue his dream of producing many world champions. "Hawaii has no future for me. I will buy a home in Cebu and travel back and forth to Thailand since Thailand and Philippines is just three hours away on a flight," Villaver opens up. Villaver also added that Prawet Singwangcha manager, Mr. Atthaporn Tangnusat has offered him a house and a lucrative base salary that he said he cant refuse, however as generous as the manager was, he turned it down. Also, at the same time renowned Thailand promoter of Kokiet Group Promotions has also offered Villaver to train his top ranked fighters, rather he said being a free agent would allow him to work with anyone and all fighters that need his help. "If managers or promoters want to hire me for my services, I am willing to work for any of them and my goal is to produce as many world champion in Thailand," explains Bobby. Bobby Villaver has indeed reached far in the sport of boxing. Congratulations Bob, job well done! Filipinos are all proud of you.  |
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