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Villanueva Scores 20th KO in 21 Wins PhilBoxing.com Sun, 31 Jul 2011 ![]() Lapulapu City - Lorenzo "Thunderbolt" Villanueva, the reigning World Boxing Organization (WBO) Oriental Featherweight champion, made a short work of Indonesian Junior Lightweight champion Eddy Camaro by scoring a quick knockout in the first round of their 10-round bout at the swank and fully air-conditioned Hoops Dome in this historic city Saturday night. Villanueva, a young southpaw from Midsayap town in North Cotabato, immediately strutted to the center of right after the bell sounded to start round 1, threw two or three looping lefts and rights that missed before he connected with a thunderous right to the Indonesian champion's midsection. As Comaro backpedalled to his corner, Villanueva pursued the Indonesian and unleashed a three punch combo, a left to the back of the ear of Comaro followed by a right uppercut and finally a thunderous left just above the right neck, sending the Indonesian fighter to his knees with his left hand hanging on to the ropes and obviously unconcious. Referee Teddy Alivio counted out Comaro at 1:02 of the first round giving the undefeated Villanueva his 20th knockout win in 21 victories. Top photo: Referee Teddy Alivio (L) motions to Lorenzo Villanueva (R) to go to a neutral corner after Villanueva sent Eddy Camaro of Indonesia to the canvas in the first round during their encounter Saturday night at the Hoops Dome in Lapu-lapu City. ![]() Villanueva (L) puts the pressure on the visiting Indosian. ![]() Lapu-Lapu city councilor and sports czar Radaza awards the trophy to Lorenzo Villanueva after Villanueva's sensational first round KO victory. Photos by Dong Secuya. It was the quickest win in the fight card which included the bloody encounter between WBO Asia Pacific bantamweight champion AJ Banal and Canadian Tyson Cave which Banal by technical decision in the 8th. "I heard a cracking sound," referee Alivio said of the three-punch combination that the orphan from North Cotabato connected. Villanueva said he did not take any chances and immediately attacked when he saw the opening. "Sir ALA (Antonio L. Aldeguer, owner of ALA Boxing Promotions) told me not to be overly confident against Comaro," Villanueva said after the fight. Villanueva belongs to the Braveheart Boxing Club of North Cotabato owned by former North Cotabato Governor Manny Pinol and his brothers but ALA Boxing promotes his fights. Comaro lasted the distance against young ALA prospect Jason Pagara losing by majority decision in a fight held in Manila last year. Against Villanueva, described by boxing analysts as raw but extremely powerful with a big heart, the Indonesian champion hardly even connected with a punch as he was immediately overwhelmed by the Filipino fighter. Former Governor Pinol said he plans to bring Villanueva to the United States to train under veteran American trainers and undergo a physical conditioning program that would make him a quicker fighter. Initially, American boxing trainer Robert Alcazar, who handled Oscar dela Hoya since his Olympic days and Venezuelan knockout artist Edwin Valero, has expressed interest in handling the young fighter from North Cotabato. "Personally, I like the tandem of Freddie Roach and Alex Ariza to handle Villanueva but I was told they could not take in any more boxers because their hands are full," Pinol said. Villanueva, along with several other young fighters from North Cotabato, is a product of a grassroots boxing program started by Pinol when he was governor of the province in 1998. "He is strong but he is still awkward and a bit slow because he is flat-footed, so we need somebody who could fine tune his fighting style and give him even just half the agility and quickness of Manny Pacquiao," Pinol said. Villanueva's trainers, Noli Pinol and Bruce Lerio, said the 24-year-old boxer from Bual Norte, Midsayap has exceptional power and could take a punch because he possesses a big fighting heart. "But we have to admit that he needs somebody more experienced than us to transform him into a world caliber fighter. He needs more head movement and quickness in his footwork," said Noli, younger brother of the former governor. Pinol said he will work on the travel papers of Villanueva so he could train in the United States. ![]() |
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