WBC world bantamweight champion Luis “Pantera” Nery (left) and “King” Arthur Villanueva do the traditional staredown during the official weigh-in of their 10-round bout in Tijuana, Mexico, today.
/from villanueva’s fb page
Filipino slugger battles controversial champion Nery in Mexico today
It’s judgment day today for “King” Arthur Villanueva, who can’t seem to contain his desire to lay his hands on WBC world bantamweight champion Luis “Pantera” Nery in Gasmart, Tijuana, Mexico.
Villanueva, a two-time world title challenger told Cebu Daily News (CDN) that he’s been preparing for this fight for a long time and he can’t wait to step inside the ring.
Yesterday both boxers passed their first test during the official weigh-in as they tipped the scales at 119lbs for Villanueva and 120lbs for the champion.
This may not be a world title bout there’s a lot stake for both boxers.
Villanueva is hoping to make it a third time lucky after faltering in his two world title shots while Nery’s reputation as a world champion was questioned after the WBC ordered an immediate rematch against Japanese Shinsuke Yamanaka whom he beat last August to clinch the WBC bantamweight strap, due to doping issues.
The 28-year-old Villanueva of Bago City, Negros Occidental, arrived in Tijuana, Mexico, last Monday along with his trainer Michael Domingo and ALA Boxing Gym matchmaker and trainer Edito Villamor.
“If you ask me if I’m ready? I’m always ready for this fight, I’ve been longing for this fight and waited for this to happen,” Villanueva told CDN. “If I have any advantage against Nery, that would be my confidence. I don’t feel any pressure going to this fight because I know that I can beat him and there’s a lot of people out there who believe that I can win this fight.”
Villanueva is one of the top boxers of Cebu-based ALA Boxing Gym. He sports a record of 31 wins with 17 knockouts and two defeats. Those two are world title bouts. He first lost to Mcjoe Arroyo via a controversial technical decision last 2015 in El Paso, Texas, USA, for the vacant IBF world super flyweight title while the second was against African Zolani Tete for the WBO world bantamweight title in Leicester Arena in England last April.
“I want to dedicate this fight to our almighty God. All honor and glory is for Him. Second is to my family who always motivate me to continue fighting,” added Villanueva.
Nery is unbeaten in 24 fights with 18 knockouts and is considered one of the top boxers in Mexico today.
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