Villanueva eyes KO win in acid test versus Mexican foe

CEBU, Philippines - Unbeaten ALA Boxing Gym fighter Arthur 'El Matador' Villanueva (21-0, 12KOs) vowed to go all-out for a knockout win as he view for the vacant WBO Asia-Pacific super flyweight title against Mexican Arturo ‘Fuerte’ Badillo  (21-4, 19KOs) on the undercard of the ‘Pinoy Pride XXI: When Worlds Collide’ fightcard on July 13 at the Solaire Casino and Leisure Park in Pasay City.     

The 24-year-old Villanueva will have his baptism of fire against a tough Mexican opponent in the supporting main event of the slambang show topbilled by his ALA stablemate Merlito 'Tiger' Sabillo (22-0, 11KOs), who will defend his WBO minimumweight title for the first time against Colombian challenger Jorle Jacinto Estrada (16-6, 5KOs).           

"I really believe that I have a big chance to knock him out because of his defense," said the Bacolod City- native Villanueva. "But I am not underestimating him because even if he lacks defense, he also has a knockout punch. I will fight an intelligent fight against him."

"Me and coach Edito (Villamor) studied his style and it's up to me to make my move in scoring an impressive knockout win. I want to prove that I am ready for bigger fights."

In his previous bout, Villanueva won over Marco Demecillo-Singwangcha of RWS Stable in a classic battle of undefeated Pinoy boxers to retain his OPBF super flyweight title last April 20 at the University of Southeastern Philippines (USEP) Gymnasium in Davao City.

In another attraction, former world title challenger AJ ‘Bazooka’ Banal (28-2, 20KOs) will make his ring return against Mexican Abraham ‘Cholo’ Gomez (18-7, 9KOs).

Banal hasn't fought since his devastating ninth round TKO loss to Thai Pungluang Sor Singyu in their WBO bantamweight title bout on October 20 last year at the SM Mall of Asia Arena. —  (FREEMAN)