Pinoy boxer Arthur Villanueva hopes third world-title shot is the charm
TYPICAL of ring gladiators who have suffered heartbreaking losses in world championship fights, former two-time world title challenger Arthur “King” Villanueva vows to treat his upcoming title match as if it were his last, remaining chance.
Villanueva, 30, will be vying for his third title shot against defending World Boxing Council (WBC) bantamweight world champion Nordine Ooubaali of France Saturday night at Barys Arena in Nur-Sultan, Kazakhstan.
Before this title shot, Villanueva fought for the world crown twice, first in 2015 where he vied for the IBF super-flyweight belt versus Puerto Rican McJoe Arroyo, only to lose via 10th round technical decision in El Paso, Texas.
Villanueva got his second world title attempt in 2017 in the United Kingdom, losing a 12-round verdict to WBO 118-lb ruler Zolani Tete of South Africa.
“Nu’ng kay Tete pa lang inisip ko baka last chance ko na ’yun. Ngayon dito ganoon din iniisip ko, wala ng pang-4 ito. Kailangan manalo na ako dito, ganoon ka-importante sa akin ’yung laban na ito,” Villanueva said.
Villanueva, who holds a record of 32-3-1, 18 ending via knockout, suffered his third loss when his fight with former WBC king Luis Nery of Mexico was stopped in the 6th round of their 10-round contest in November 2017 in Tijuana.
Against Oubaali, Villanueva will be facing another southpaw which, according to sports analyst Ed Tolentino, could be a factor.
“Lahat ng talo ni Villanueva ay nanggaling sa mga kaliweteng boksingero. Medyo lumalabas hirap si Arthur sa mga southpaws,” said Tolentino “Pero allegedly sabi niya, maliit ito at sugod ng sugod baka mabigyan niya ng counter.”
Also, Tolentino believes there is not much comparison between 5-foot-4 Oubaali and any of the 3, rangy lefties who beat Villanueva.
“Unang depensa pa lamang ito nu’ng Nordine so kumbaga, hindi pa din naman ganoon siya kaexperienced as a world champion,” said Tolentino.
“Pwedeng sabihin ni Villanueva na di hamak, mas magagaling ’yung mga nakalaban din niya.”
Oubaali, 32, (15-0, 11 knockouts) won the vacant WBC crown when he outpointed American Olympian Rau’shee Warren in the undercard of the Manny Pacquiao versus Adrien Broner last January 19 in Las Vegas.
In Friday’s official weigh-in, both Villanueva and Oubaali tallied 117.3 lbs, an indication that both boxers could be in excellent shape and are ready to dish out a fine performance. ABS-CBN News