Philippines, 17 May 2025
  Home >> News

 


BOXERS

CURRENT CHAMPIONS 

FORMER CHAMPIONS   

RATINGS                       

NEWS           

FORUM        

FIGHT GALLERIES        

RING CARD GIRLS        


 
 
News  


Meet a most unlikely heir to Pacquiao


PhilBoxing.com




IT was hard to believe, but they also saw a future Manny Pacquiao in Filipino fighter Lorenzo Villanueva, who suffered his first defeat (in 25 fights) on Saturday night.
It was not a routine defeat.

Villanueva, 26, readily slipped into a full time fraud after having scored a screaming knockdown early in the first round of the International Boxing Organization featherweight championship at the packed Marina Bay Sands Exposition Hall in Singapore.

Villanueva, who had looked headed for a startling win, was instead counted out on his feet after having had to rise from another knockdown in the second round.

It was a shocking twist that had left his handler, sportsman Manny Pinol, wondering if Villanueva would still dare stick it out in boxing.

**

Anyway, shortly before he checked out of the fabulous Marina Bay Sands on Sunday, Pinol got caught in a chance negotiation at the hotel lobby.

"Lend him to me and let me take him back to Sydney," a middle-aged foreigner in gray t-shirt and playing shorts, told Pinol.
Pinol, who said he still had to ask Villanueva about his immediate plans, identified the fellow as Angelo Hayder, former manager and trainer of Vic Darchinyan, an early victim of Filipino boxing sensation Nonito Donaire Jr.

"Pacquiao was exactly like him (Villanueva), very powerful very brave, but practically with no defensive basics," the Australian said.

**

For his part, Pinol observed that Villanueva had obviously become too cozy after having scored a total of 23 knockouts in all his previous 24 fights.

He noted Villanueva must've also felt as invincible as he was powerful.

However, the Australian boxing expert noted that Villanueva, just like Darchinyan, had refused to believe in tested scientific breathing; he refused to launch his punches through the seat of power deep in the navel area, and instead slammed bombs from the shallow shoulder.

Pinol went on to say Villanueva sulked and cried in a corner after the shock defeat.

"He did know what happened to him. He just got instantly wasted, totally lost."

**

As expected, Pinol approved on the spot the offer by the Australian to train and reform Villanueva.

The former governor of North Cotabato, who sustains an energetic boxing program with the help of his brothers at the Braveheart Stable, won't easily give up on Villanueva.

"He did not have the experience and ring savvy, but I have always admired his heart and power,"Pinol said.

Pinol also noted Villanueva's desire to win in order to lift his siblings "out of poverty and provide them with decent education."
Explained Pinol: "His story is also the story of many poor Filipino kids, among them boxing icon Manny Pacquiao, who see boxing as the easiest and quickest way out of the squalor of poverty,"

This early, Pinol is looking for more knowledgeable trainers who can assist him in reforming Villanueva--and all other poor members of his promising stable.


Click here to view a list of other articles written by Recah Trinidad.


Recent PhilBoxing.com In-House articles:

  • Jayson Mama Set to Challenge for IBO World Super Flyweight Title in Johannesburg
    , Sat, 17 May 2025
  • Fisher vs Allen 2: Can Johnny Make Necessary Improvements?
    By Chris Carlson, , Sat, 17 May 2025
  • Weights from Panamá City
    By Gabriel F. Cordero, , Sat, 17 May 2025
  • CRUZ LANDS IBF ELIMINATOR AGAINST MISHIRO IN NEW YORK
    , Sat, 17 May 2025
  • Fisher and Allen Hit the Scales Ahead of Highly Anticipated Heavyweight Rematch
    , Sat, 17 May 2025
  • Boxing: Sport Entertainment or Entertainment Sport (Part Two)
    By Teodoro Medina Reynoso, , Fri, 16 May 2025
  • NYC PRESS CONFERENCE QUOTES: BERLANGA VS. SHEERAZ / SHAKUR STEVENSON VS. WILLIAM ZEPEDA
    , Fri, 16 May 2025
  • HALL OF FAME TRAINER FREDDIE ROACH TO BE HONORED BY THE CITY OF LOS ANGELES IN PUBLIC CEREMONY AT FREDDIE'S GYM!
    , Fri, 16 May 2025
  • HALL OF FAME BROADCASTER JIM LAMPLEY TO PARTICIPATE IN 2025 HALL OF FAME WEEKEND FESTIVITIES
    , Fri, 16 May 2025
  • Minnesota, Indiana Back Again in the Eastern and Western Conference Finals
    By Teodoro Medina Reynoso, , Thu, 15 May 2025
  • In Jonathan’s memory
    By Joaquin Henson, , Thu, 15 May 2025
  • WATCH: HITCHINS AND KAMBOSOS JR IN INTENSE FACE-OFF WITH ONE MONTH UNTIL NYC SHOWDOWN
    , Thu, 15 May 2025
  • Toledo-Xignex Trojans finally win the PCAP online team chess tournament
    By Marlon Bernardino, , Thu, 15 May 2025
  • Former WBA Super Bantamweight Champion Nazarena Romero to Exercise Immediate Rematch Clause Against Mayelli Flores Rosquero
    , Thu, 15 May 2025
  • Pacquiao's Controversial WBC Ranking Explained: "Legend" Status Cited Amid July Return
    By Dong Secuya, , Thu, 15 May 2025
  • No-contest ruling awaited
    By Joaquin Henson, , Thu, 15 May 2025
  • FISHER VS. ALLEN 2 + UNDERCARD FINAL PRESS CONFERENCE QUOTES
    , Thu, 15 May 2025
  • Tyler Langer Defeats Raphael Carolina By Unanimous Decision in Headline Bout of Jeter Promotions Card at Rosecroft Raceway in Fort Washington, Maryland
    , Thu, 15 May 2025
  • Canelo vs. Crawford Bout Faces Date and Venue Shift
    By Dong Secuya, , Wed, 14 May 2025
  • BROADCAST TEAM ANNOUNCED FOR “CHAMPIONING MENTAL HEALTH: A NIGHT OF BOXING” ON THURSDAY, MAY 22
    , Wed, 14 May 2025
  • UNBEATEN AMATEUR WORLD CHAMPION TIAH-MAI AYTON SIGNS PROMOTIONAL DEAL WITH MATCHROOM
    , Wed, 14 May 2025
  • Arum Targets Manila Rematch: Navarrete vs. Suarez 2 Eyed for Thrilla in Manila Anniversary
    By Dong Secuya, , Wed, 14 May 2025
  • Ron Johnson’s American Dream Presents & Nothing But Sportz Announce “The Caribbean Clash” Boxing Event at Miami’s James L. Knight Center on Saturday, August 9
    , Wed, 14 May 2025
  • Francis Chua is Fighting for Family in Comeback fight as he eyes Future fight with Harry Garside
    , Tue, 13 May 2025
  • Pacquiao Falls Short in Senate Bid, Eyes WBC Title in Stunning Boxing Comeback
    By Dong Secuya, , Tue, 13 May 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.