Philippines, 02 Jul 2025
  Home >> News

 


BOXERS

CURRENT CHAMPIONS 

FORMER CHAMPIONS   

RATINGS                       

NEWS           

FORUM        

FIGHT GALLERIES        

RING CARD GIRLS        


 
 
News  


KING ARTHUR VILLANUEVA IN A TOUGH FIGHT THIS SATURDAY BUT SHOULD PREVAIL


PhilBoxing.com




Regardless of personal boxing records, it?s not too often that boxers get a chance to fight meaningful title fights abroad particularly if one comes from a small country and does not yet carry a huge ?name-recognition?.

Such is the case for King Arthur Villanueva of Bago City, Negros Occidental, a well-deserved holder of a 27-0-0, 14KO record and the IBF International Super Flyweight Champion. Villanueva is a product of the famed ALA Boxing Gym at Mandaue, Cebu and multi award trainer, Edito Villamor.

Villanueva meets fellow undefeated fighter in Puerto Rican McJoe Arroyo (16-0-0, 8KO) on Saturday July 18th at the Don Haskins Center in El Paso, Texas for the vacant IBF World Super flyweight title

While I agree with ALA Promotions President Michael Aldeguer that the title challenge will not be easy for Villanuena given that he fights in the US for the first time and that Arroyo can claim home court advantage, I still feel that Villanueva will come out victorious.

Villanueva is far more experienced than Arroyo and is a fighter that is hungry for more. It will not be too far off to say that he will leave all in the ring to allow him to take the title back home to the Philippines.

Arroyo who is the present WBO Latino super flyweight champion may be undefeated but his latest fights were against a little known Mark Geraldo (31-6-3, 14KO) in December 2014. Villanueva defeated Geraldo back in 2009. His other fight was against Hernan ?Tyson? Marquez (39-5-1, 28KO) in June 2014. Marquez once succumbed to another little known Filipino Richie Mepranum (29-4-1, 7KO) in March 2012 in Texas. I would never forget that fight, as I was the cutman for Mepranum. Mepranum gave Marquez his first defeat. In fairness, Marquez beat Mepranum in a re-match later via a unanimous decision.

Villanueva in the meantime won his last three fights, beating Mexican Julio Cesar Miranda, (38-12-2) by a wide UD, Nicaraguan Henry Maldonado (19-4-0, 14KO) and another Mexican Fernando Aguilar.

Beating Latinos could become a habit for Villanueva. Arroyo, being one can easily be the 4th consecutive Latino victim.

Last week, I had the pleasure of fitting Villanueva his new mouthguards. Per Texas rules, I made him two, a black one for the fight and a red-black-white (ALA Gym colors) for his required back-up mouthguard.

I watched Villanueva train with Villamor at the Wildcard Gym for the first time ever. Villamor informed me that he is amazed how Villanueva managed jet lag. ?He was no longer jet lagged a day after we arrived in LA,? Villamor stated. ?He adapted quickly to LA time and slept like a log,? he added.

What impressed me about the young international champion was his dedication to training and his hand speed and power. Over an early dinner after training I got to talk to him at length and I found him very polite and respectful. Above all, he was focused and raring to show the North American fans live and on TV what he is all about. A true Filipino world champion!

The ALA Boxing Gym could well have another world champion in their midst!

Photo: Villanueva poses with the author.


Click here to view a list of other articles written by Ed de la Vega, DDS.


Recent PhilBoxing.com In-House articles:

  • THE PAST WEEK IN ACTION 30 June 2025: Zurdo Outpoints Dorticos, Keeps WBA/WBO Cruiser Titles; Mbilli Stops Sulecki in 1; Wins by Kuroki, Wilder and Jake Paul
    By Eric Armit, , Tue, 01 Jul 2025
  • IIEE Titans secured Finals in BPBL, IIEE Chessmasters retain on top level in Bundesliga
    By Marlon Bernardino, , Tue, 01 Jul 2025
  • MARIO BARRIOS LAS VEGAS MEDIA WORKOUT QUOTES
    , Tue, 01 Jul 2025
  • CATTERALL AND EUBANK LAY THEIR 'CARDS ON THE TABLE' AHEAD OF MANCHESTER SHOWDOWN
    , Tue, 01 Jul 2025
  • Dumadag holds chess tourney
    By Marlon Bernardino, , Tue, 01 Jul 2025
  • Manny Pacquiao's Case for the Greatest of All Time
    By Ace Freeman, , Mon, 30 Jun 2025
  • DavNor Adventure Race 2025 set July 2
    By Lito delos Reyes, , Mon, 30 Jun 2025
  • Gumila rules Antipolo rapid chess tilt
    By Marlon Bernardino, , Mon, 30 Jun 2025
  • FULL CIRCLE AT WILD CARD: Jhay Otamias’ Tribute to a Fighter and a Fanbase
    By Emmanuel Rivera, RRT, , Mon, 30 Jun 2025
  • Vince Paras Wins by 4th Round KO Over Sarawut Thawornkham to Capture the IBF Pan Pacific Super Flyweight Title
    , Mon, 30 Jun 2025
  • Team USA's Quest for Gold Set in Stone at World Boxing Cup: Astana 2025
    , Mon, 30 Jun 2025
  • SBA SEASON 2 DRAFT UNVEILS RISING STARS AND STRATEGIC MOVES AS TEAMS COMPLETE THEIR ROSTERS
    By Marlon Bernardino, , Mon, 30 Jun 2025
  • Filipino Elwin Retanal wins Saudi rapid chess meet
    By Marlon Bernardino, , Mon, 30 Jun 2025
  • Jake Paul Earns Boxing Legitimacy with Dominant Decision Over Julio Cesar Chávez Jr.
    By Dong Secuya, , Sun, 29 Jun 2025
  • Zurdo Ramirez Defends Cruiserweight Crowns with Unanimous Decision Over Dorticos
    By Dong Secuya, , Sun, 29 Jun 2025
  • Vince Paras Faces Sarawut Thawornkham Today at Venue 88 in Gensan
    , Sun, 29 Jun 2025
  • USA Elite High Performance Team Sets Sights on Gold at World Boxing Cup: Astana 2025
    , Sun, 29 Jun 2025
  • Alekhine Nouri bags silver in blitz
    By Marlon Bernardino, , Sun, 29 Jun 2025
  • Paul vs. Chavez Jr: Can Julio Derail Jake Paul?
    By Chris Carlson, , Sat, 28 Jun 2025
  • Dr. KO: Christian Mbilli Stops Maciej Sulecki in 1
    , Sat, 28 Jun 2025
  • GOLDEN BOY SIGNS UNDEFEATED MIDDLEWEIGHT BLUE-CHIP PROSPECT AMARI JONES
    , Sat, 28 Jun 2025
  • Paul vs. Chávez Jr. is a Go: All Fighters Make Weight in Anaheim Ahead of High-Stakes Bout
    , Sat, 28 Jun 2025
  • IIEE Chessmasters Overall Champion in the International Bundesliga with GM Joey Antonio
    By Marlon Bernardino, , Sat, 28 Jun 2025
  • Kittipong of Thailand Battles Bhavesh of India in Brico Santig's Exciting Show in Bangkok
    By Carlos Costa, , Sat, 28 Jun 2025
  • Weights from Philadelphia
    , Sat, 28 Jun 2025




  •  



     
    PhilBoxing.com has been created to support every aspiring
    Filipino boxer and the Philippine boxing scene in general.
    Please send comments to feedback@philboxing.com


    PRIVATE POLICY | LEGAL DISCLAIMER
    developed and maintained by dong secuya
    © 2025 philboxing.com.