“King” Arthur Villanueva tags Victor ” Spock” Mendez with a left in their main event showdown of the Pinoy Pride 34 last Saturday at Hoops Dome in Lapu-Lapu City. (CDN PHOTO/LITO TECSON)
King” Arthur Villanueva got back on the winning track with a split decision win over Mexican fighter Victor “Spock” Mendez Saturday night in the main event of the Pinoy Pride 34: Back with a Vengeance at the Hoops Dome in Lapu-Lapu City.
The win allowed Villanueva to snatch the vacant WBC International super-flyweight title but the ALA Boxing Gym fighter was not in a celebratory mood after the hard-fought contest.
“I think I have to train harder and improve my skills back in the gym. I need two to three fights before I fight for another title. I have a lot of things to improve,” said Villanueva, who bagged his 28th win in 29 fights with 14 knockout victories.
Milan “El Metodico” Melindo connects on an uppercut against Emmanuel Olivo. (CDN PHOTO/LITO TECSON)
Mendez dropped to 19W-3L-2D-15K0s.
Filipino judges Benigno Peñafiel (116-112) and Samson Libres (117-111) scored the bout for Villanueva, while Mexican judge Humberto Olivarez had it 115-113 for Mendez.
It was Villanueva’s first win since absorbing a controversial 10th-round technical decision loss to Mcjoe Arroyo in their IBF super flyweight title match early this year.
Villanueva admitted he had a hard time dealing with Mendez’s height advantage.
“It was a very hard fight. He really used his height advantage and I was not able to connect on my jabs,” said Villanueva.
The two fighters were blooded and bruised after the 12-round match.
Michael Aldeguer, CEO of ALA Promotions International, said it was a good comeback fight for Villanueva. He also credited Mendez with putting up a gallant stand.
“It was a good fight, the fans clearly enjoyed it and I also give credit to Mendez for being a very good fighter,” said Aldeguer.
Aldeguer said Villanueva needs to have at least a couple of fights before a possible world title shot.
“For now, we will focus on his rankings since he will surely land in the top 10 in the WBC after this win,” said Aldeguer.
In the co-main event, two-time world title challenger Milan “El Metodico” Melindo (33W-2L, 12KOs) likewise pulled off a split decision win over Mexican Victor Emmanuel Olivo (9-1, 4KOs) in an action-packed co-main event.
According to trainer Edito Villamor, Melindo had to change his game plan since he was not familiar with Olivo’s style.
Olivo was tapped to face Melindo just a few days before the fight after the latter’s original opponent Carlos Fontes backed out.
AJ”Bazooka” Banal (left) trades blows with Tanzanian Emilio Norfat. (CDN PHOTO/LITO TECSON)
“Melindo is known as a tactical fighter but was on attack mode against Olivo.“He has to do that kind of style because it was like we were facing a blank wall when Fontes backed out. We were not able to scout Olivo. Good thing he was able to adjust and land big punches,” said Villamor.
The two protagonists figured in a highly entertaining fight but Melindo’s ring savvy carried him to the win.
In his Facebook post, Melindo said the fight was more than just scoring a victory.
“As my advance gift to the boxing fans this coming Christmas, I gave them an enjoyable Pinoy Pride 34 fight. I don’t care what other (people) say, what’s important is that I won the hearts of the boxing fans,” read part of Melindo’s post.
Two judges, Edgar Olalo and Salven Lagumbay, both saw the fight at 96-94 for Melindo, while Edward Ligas had Olivo winning the fight, 96-94.
UNDERCARDS
Cebu City’s Kevin Jake “KJ” Cataraja scored a TKO victory against Indonesian Faris Nenggo in his second professional bout.
Cataraja now has two wins with two knockouts.
AJ “Bazooka” Banal knocked out Emilio Norfat of Tanzania in the third round of their 10-round featherweight bout.
Banal upped his record to 34W-2L-1D-23KOs, Norfat dropped to 25W-7L-0D.
The come-backing Rocky “The Road Warrior” Fuentes (36-8-2, 21KOs) posted a second-round knockout win over Indonesian Afrizal Tamboresi (11W-4L-0D, 6KOs).
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