NEGOTIATIONS are already in the works for the world title eliminator duel between World Boxing Organization (WBO) Asia Pacific bantamweight champion “King” Arthur Villanueva of ALA Boxing Gym and world ranked number two Zolani Tete of South Africa.
Michael Aldeguer, chief executive officer of ALA Promotions International, said the all-important fight may happen in February next year.
Aldeguer revealed that ALA Promotions and Tete’s promoters are finalizing the contract to make the fight happen and determine the mandatory challenger for the reigning WBO world bantamweight champion Marlon Tapales.
“There’s already negotiations going on after the WBO ordered Arthur to fight Tete, but we have to sign the contract yet,” said Aldeguer. “We are looking for a venue abroad, not here in the Philippines. We tried to pitch to promote the fight here but I think it’s a good challenge for Arthur and test him by letting him fight abroad.”
Villanueva is ranked number one contender for Tapales’ WBO world bantamweight title.
Aldeguer said they will announce final details of the world title eliminator in the coming weeks.
Villanueva has stepped up his training as part of his preparation.
The Bacolod City-native Villanueva had a stellar performance in the United States when he knocked out Juan Jimenez in the second round of their rematch for the WBO Asia Pacific bantamweight title last Sept. 24 in Carson City, California.
The win hiked Villanueva’s record to 30W-1L-OD-16KOs.
Tete, on the other hand, is the current IBF International bantamweight champion and a former IBF world super flyweight champion. He has 24 wins, 20 by knockouts, and three.