(From left) Kevin Jake Cataraja, Jason Pagara, Jonas Sultan, Arthur Villanueva and Virgel Vitor face spectators after a public workout at the SM City Cebu.
(CDN PHOTO/ GLENDALE G. ROSAL)
The road to recovery may be a tough one but two-time world title challenger “King” Arthur Villanueva has nevertheless taken that route in the hopes of bouncing back from a lopsided defeat against African Zolani Tete last April 22 in Leicester, United Kingdom for the interim WBO world bantamweight title.
“After that fight, my morale was very low. But I told myself to rise from that defeat and use that defeat as motivation to do better,” said the 28-year-old Villanueva of Bago City, Negros Occidental.
The King has a record of 30 wins (16 knockouts), two losses and no draws and he looks to improve this when he fights in the undercard of Pinoy Pride 42: Clash for Glory at the Waterfront Cebu City Hotel and Casino on Sept. 16.
“I will do my best in this fight because it’s another chance [to earn another world title fight].”
Villanueva said it was difficult bouncing back from a loss but he has done it before, so he believes he will be able to do it again.
He was on a 27-fight winning streak before suffering his first defeat to American Mcjoe Arroyo for the vacant IBF world super flyweight title in 2015 in the United States via a controversial technical decision. He recovered to win three straight before losing again to Tete.
“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,” said Villanueva, who just got married last June 3. He and his wife have a three-year old daughter.
“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.”
Villanueva will join fellow ALA Boxing Gym stablemates Virgel Vitor and Kevin Jake Cataraja in the undercard.
The fight card will feature a triple header main event with the reigning IBF world junior flyweight king Milan “El Metodico” Melindo defending his title versus South African Hekkie “Hexecutioner” Budler.
The number one junior welterweight in WBO Jason Pagara will return in the ring as well while Jonas Sultan will fight former two-division world champion Johnriel “Quadro Alas” Casimero for the IBF super flyweight title eliminator.
The complete fight card will be announced this week, according to ALA Promotions International.