Villanueva to fight for IBO title

CEBU, Philippines - The power-hitting Lorenzo 'Thunderbolt" Villanueva gets what is by far the biggest break of his career as he is booked by ALA Promotions to fight for the International Boxing Organization (IBO) featherweight title against Indonesian Daud Cino Yordan on May 5 at the Marina Bay Sands Casino in Singapore.

Villanueva, the reigning WBO Oriental 126-pound champion, carries an amazing 24-0 record with 23 wins via stoppage.

It will surely be an exciting clash of power punchers as Cino Yordan, the reigning IBO International featherweight titlist, is also a certified knockout artist. The Indonesian holds a 28-2 record spiked with 22KOs.

The deal was formalized during a press conference attended by Chad Cañares, the executive assistant of ALA Promotions President and CEO Michael P. Aldeguer, yesterday at the host Marina Bay Hotel.

"ALA Promotions decided on having Villanueva get the shot at the title as part of its mission of helping showcase deserving Filipino fighters to the world," said the country's top promotional firm in a press statement.

The Villanueva-Cino Yordan duel is the supporting main event of Chris John's WBA featherweight title defense against Japanese Shoji Kimura. - THE FREEMAN