Buo ang loob ni Filipino bantamweight Arthur Villanueva na maaagaw ang WBC bantamweight title sa walang talong si Nordine Oubaali ng France sa #MTKFightNight sa Sabado sa Barys Arena. Nur-Sultan, Kazakhstan.

Mas maraming karanasan si Villanueva sa walang talong si Oubaali lalo’t natalo lamang siya sa kontrobersiyal na 10th round technical decision kay Puerto Rican McJoe Arroyo noong Hulyo 18, 2015 sa El Paso, Texas sa kanilang sagupaan para sa bakanteng IBF super flyweight title.

Natalo rin siya sa puntos sa kanyang ikalawang world title crack laban kay WBO bantamweight titlist Zolani Tete noong Abril 22, 2017 sa Leicaster, United Kingdom na ikalawang tahanan ng South African.

“I’m very excited for this fight and very grateful to all those who made it possible. It’s a big break for me,” sabi ni Villanueva sa BoxingScene.com. “It’s always a great honour for me to fight abroad and represent my country – especially now I’m fighting with the opportunity of becoming world champion and making a name for myself.”

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Galing sa mahirap na pamilya ang tubong Negros Occidental na si Villanueva at gusto niyang sundan ang yapak ng mga boksingero ng ALA Gym na naging kampeong pandaigdig tulad nina Donnie Nietes at Milan Melindo.

“It’s a great honour but also a great responsibility. I grew up in a poor family and victory here is the only answer for changing my life with a good boxing career and the fulfilment of my dreams,” sambit ni Villanueva. “I’m very excited to be boxing on this platform. I know Oubaali is an Olympian and I saw he’s a good boxer against Rau’shee Warren but this is my big chance to show my talent.”

May record si Villanueva na 32-3-1 win-loss-draw na may 18 pagwawagi sa knockouts kumpara kay Oubaali na may perpektong kartada na 15 panalo, 11 sa pamamagitan ng knockouts.