Ni: Gilbert Espeña
Muling magbabalik sa ring si two-time world title challenger “King” Arthur Villanueva matapos ang kanyang pagkatalo kay South African Zolani Tete noong nakaraang Abril 22 sa Leicester, United Kingdom para sa interim WBO world bantamweight title.
Naging lubos na kampeon si Tete nang mawalan ng korona si dating WBO bantamweight titlist Marlon Tapales ng Pilipinas nang mag-overweight sa kanyang depensa ng korona kaya umakyat na ng timbang at kasalukuyang No. 3 contender kay WBO super bantamweight champion Jessie Magdaleno ng United States.
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Nakalista pa rin si Villanueva bilang No. 13 challenger kay WBC bantamweight champion Shinsuke Yamanaka ng Japan na nakatakdang magdepensa kay Mexican Luis Nery sa Tokyo, Japan bukas kaya kailangang magwagi si Villanueva sa hindi pa tinukoy na kalaban para muling magkaroon ng pagkakataon sa world title fight.
“After that fight (with Tete), my morale was very low. But I told myself to rise from that defeat and use that defeat as motivation to do better,” sabi ng 28-anyos na si Villanueva sa Philboxing.com. “I will do my best in this fight because it’s another chance (to earn another world title fight).”
May rekord si Villanueva na 30-2-0 na may 16 panalo sa knockouts at malaki ang pananalig na tulad ng ka-stable na si IBF light flyweight champion Milan Melindo ay magiging kampoeng pandaigdig siya sa ikatlong world title try.
Magsisilbing undercard ang laban ni Villanueva sa unification bout ni Melindo kay IBO junior flyweight champion Hekkie Budler ng South Africa sa Setyembre 16 sa Cebu City.
“There were times that I was felt discouraged to continue my career in boxing but I always think of my family who is my inspiration. That’s why I am here right now ready to fight again,” dagdag ni Villanueva. “I already moved on from that loss. I already accepted that Tete was the faster, more powerful boxer between us. But I have to continue fighting because my family and also my dreams of becoming a world champion. That’s what fuels me to continue.”
