Si Villanueva, Philippine Sports Commission (PSC) Regional Coordinator ang siyang pumalit kay Dominador Cepeda na nahirang na GAB Chairman sa ilalim ng Ramos Administration noong 1994.
Ang pagkakahirang kay Villanueva ay nilagdaan ng Pangulong Arroyo noon pang Hulyo 5 at ang kanyang appointment papers ay kamaka-lawa lamang naipadala sa opisina ng GAB sa Makati.
Nilisan ni Cepeda ang GAB na may magandang track record at integridad kung saan nagkaroon ang bansa ng mga world champions na kinabibilangan nina Manny Pacquiao, Luisito Espinosa, Gerry Peñalosa, Malcolm Tuñacao, Eric Jamili, Rolando Toyogon, Rico Siodora at Joselito Rivera
"We serve at the President’s pleasure," ani Cepeda na naging Orient at Pacific Boxing Federation President mula 1996-1999. "It’s is the prerogative of the President to appoint or replace the GAB Chairman. There is no security of tenure in this position. That is the nature of the office. We may be removed anytime, not even for cause," pagtatapos ni Cepeda.<