Philippines, 27 Jun 2026
  Home >> News

 


BOXERS

CURRENT CHAMPIONS 

FORMER CHAMPIONS   

RATINGS                       

NEWS           

FORUM        

FIGHT GALLERIES        

RING CARD GIRLS        


 
 
News  


McJoe Arroyo defeats Arthur Villanueva in an injury-shortened bout


PhilBoxing.com




Previously undefeated Arthur Villanueva (27-0, 14 KOs) of the famed ALA Boxing Stable of Cebu City came up short in his attempt to become a world champion, yielding to unbeaten McJoe Arroyo (16-0, 8 KOs) of Puerto Rico by a Technical Decision in the 10th round of their scheduled twelve round championship fight.

The twenty ?six year old fighter from Bago City, Negros Occidental in the Philippines suffered a nasty cut in the 6th round from a clash of heads between the two fighters . That was not the only misfortune for the Filipino fighter in the 6th as he was deducted a point by referee Rafael Ramos for coming in with his head, after a couple of warnings.

The cut on Villanueva?s right eye became deeper as the fight extended to the 10th round, which forced Referee Ramos to stop the fight at the 2:05 mark upon the advice of the physician at ringside.

The result of the fight then went to the scorecards of the three judges at ringside and Arroyo was declared the winner of the shortened fight and the vacant International Boxing Federation (IBF) super flyweight world title with scores of 97-32, 98-91 and 98-91.

Both fighters were very cautious in their strategy against each other, which produced a very tactical fight between the two. The lack of action in the ring was booed by the crowd at the Don Haskins Convention Center in El Paso, Texas and was not appreciated by boxing scribes who commented on the fight via their social media accounts.

Villanueva was active from the opening round but he missed most of his punches in the early phase of the bout. Arroyo though was the more accurate fighter of the two despite his low volume punching. The Puerto Rican southpaw?s left hand was an effective weapon for him . Arroyo landed clean left hooks and left straights against his Filipino counterpart.

Villanueva tried to rally late after the deduction and the cut but his wound was a prime target for Arroyo?s who unloaded on it with his straight lefts. It produced further bleeding in the 10th and the ring officials decided that the fight had to be stopped.

Villanueva suffered the first loss of his career (27-1) in his debut in U.S. soil and also lost his chance to become the second world champion from his country. Currently, his stable mate Donnie Nietes is the only world title holder (WBO light flyweight) from the Philippines.

You can reach the author at rrmaze24@aol.com.


Click here to view a list of other articles written by Rich Mazon .


Recent PhilBoxing.com In-House articles:

  • Xander Zayas vs Jaron Ennis: Breakout Moment in Brooklyn
    By Chris Carlson, , Sat, 27 Jun 2026
  • GAB Must Look Into Exploitation of Rated Filipino Fighters in Japan
    By Teodoro Medina Reynoso, , Sat, 27 Jun 2026
  • TITLE FIGHT ON: Zayas and "Boots" Ennis Hit the Scales for Brooklyn Super-Welterweight Showdown
    By Dong Secuya, , Sat, 27 Jun 2026
  • USC's Galen Center confirmed as Martinez-Plantic, Lopez-Carrillo venue August 29, live on ProBoxTV
    , Sat, 27 Jun 2026
  • July 4: Albert Bell Steps In to Challenge Abdullah Mason in All-Ohio WBO Lightweight World Title Showdown at Cleveland State University’s Wolstein Center LIVE on TNT and DAZN
    , Fri, 26 Jun 2026
  • Zamboanga relinquishes her ONE Women’s title
    By Lito delos Reyes, , Fri, 26 Jun 2026
  • Top-ranked Charly Suarez facing Manuel Avila, plus two more fights added to July 18 ProBoxTV event
    , Fri, 26 Jun 2026
  • Yanon fights Kaji in Tokyo on July 4
    By Lito delos Reyes, , Fri, 26 Jun 2026
  • Preparations underway for 2026 IBA men’s divisional continental championships
    , Fri, 26 Jun 2026
  • Highland Boxing Promotions Presents "Warrior Showdown" in Bangkok on June 27
    By Carlos Costa, , Thu, 25 Jun 2026
  • Usyk reportedly considering retirement but could face Kabayel before the year ends
    By Gabriel F. Cordero, , Thu, 25 Jun 2026
  • Luke Littler and Ben Whittaker join forces as Matchroom Sport takes over New York City
    , Thu, 25 Jun 2026
  • IOC Announces $10,000 'Fit for the Future' Grant for All Qualifying Olympians, Including Boxers
    By Gabriel F. Cordero, , Thu, 25 Jun 2026
  • Boxers did it first: IBA President welcomes IOC’s decision on allocating funds among athletes
    , Thu, 25 Jun 2026
  • PH national now ready for Asia-Oceania Sambo
    By Lito delos Reyes, , Thu, 25 Jun 2026
  • UFC TITLE CHALLENGER IAN MACHADO GARRY JOINS MATCHROOM TALENT AGENCY AS EDDIE HEARN LAUDS 'SUPERSTAR' SIGNING
    , Thu, 25 Jun 2026
  • Round 12 with Mauricio Sulaimán: The Fathers in the boxing world
    By Mauricio Sulaimán, , Wed, 24 Jun 2026
  • Kazakhstan, Kyrgyzstan arrive for Asia & Oceania Sambo Tournament
    By Lito delos Reyes, , Wed, 24 Jun 2026
  • Mexican Hall of Fame Legend Carlos Zarate undergoes surgery in Mexico
    By Gabriel F. Cordero, , Wed, 24 Jun 2026
  • IM Arca to see action in 28th Asian Youth Chess Championships 2026 in Shenzhen,China
    By Marlon Bernardino, , Wed, 24 Jun 2026
  • Lenar Perez to Face Former Two-Time World Title Challenger Thabiso Mchunu, with Fendero-Fondjo as Co-Feature on September 3 in Montreal!
    , Wed, 24 Jun 2026
  • Gustavo Trujillo'S Remarkable Journey Continues as Reigning Bkb Heavyweight Champion Climbs the Pro Boxing Ranks
    , Wed, 24 Jun 2026
  • AMER ABDALLAH APPOINTED ADVISOR TO THE KINGDOM OF BAHRAIN BOXING FEDERATION
    , Wed, 24 Jun 2026
  • Youth Sports Sambo on June 25
    By Lito delos Reyes, , Wed, 24 Jun 2026
  • Train for Puma Half Marathon in starts June 24
    By Lito delos Reyes, , Wed, 24 Jun 2026




  •  



     
    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
    © 2026 philboxing.com.