‘King’ Arthur, Melindo seek to pave road to redemption

CEBU, Philippines – He faltered in his first world title shot, but Arthur Villanueva firmly believes that it’s only a matter of time before he will be finally crowned as 'King', as his monicker suggests, in the boxing world.

That is something he looks forward to.

For now, Villanueva (27-1, 14KOs) must rebuild first his road to redemption and he will start it today when he battles Mexican power-hitter Victor ‘Spock’ Mendez (19-2, 15KOs) for the vacant WBC International super flyweight title in the main event of the ‘Pinoy Pride 34: Back with a Vengeance’ fightcard  at the Hoops Dome in Barangay Gun-ob, Lapu-Lapu City.

Villanueva will make his ring return after losing via controversial 10th round technical decision to McJoe Arroyo of Puerto Rico in their IBF super flyweight championship bout last July 18 at the Don Haskins Convention Center in El Paso, Texas.

“I have already moved on from that defeat. "It was painful, but I realized that I should not deal with the past anymore,” said Villanueva, who tipped in the scales at 115 lbs. during the official weigh-in yesterday at Gaisano Island Mall in Barangay Pajo.

“My focus right now is on beating Mendez,” said Villanueva. “I never felt so motivated coming to a fight. I will not hesitate to punish my opponent if that what it takes for me prove to my fans that I am back.”

Villanueva said he is still open to a rematch with Arroyo, but he feels that the Puerto Rican is not interested in facing him anymore. “I am willing to fight him (Arroyo) again, but if he doesn’t want to, then I am going for the belt in other organizations,” added the Bacolod City fighter.

A win over Mendez will vault Villanueva to the top 10 of the WBC rankings and that will put him on collision course with reigning champion Carlos ‘Prinsipe’ Cuadras.

“Villanueva is one of our fighters that have a lot of potential to be a world champion and I never doubted his skills,” said ALA Promotions President and CEO Michael Aldeguer. “Against Mendez, we will see if he has already recovered and if he is ready for another campaign for the world title.”

In supporting main event, Milan ‘El Metodico’ Melindo (32-2, 12KOs) is going for a knockout against last-minute replacement Victor Olivo (9-0, 4KOs) in their 10 round, non-title duel.

“I’m going to pick up the pace in the later rounds and from there, I will see if get a chance to sneak in a power punch to finish the fight,” said the Cagayan De Oro-native ring gladiator.

Like Villanueva, the 27-year-old Melindo also hopes to back with a veangeance after suffering a highly questionable defeat by sixth round technical decision to Javier Mendoza in their IBF light flyweight title last May 30 at Campo Nuevo Ensenada in Baja California, Mexico.

American referee Gerald White stopped the fight after Mendoza sustained a nasty cut over his left eye and the judges awarded the win to Mendoza. Melindo's camp cried foul over the decision, claiming that Melindo should have been declared the winner as the cut was caused by a legitimate punch.

Meanwhile, in the other feature of action-packed card bankrolled by ALA Promotions and ABS-CBN Sports, former amateur standout Kevin Jake 'KJ' Cataraja (1-0, 1KO) will face another acid test as he takes on the more experienced Faris Nenggo (10-8, 3KOs) of Indonesia.

Former two-time world title challenger AJ 'Bazooka' Banal will slug it out with Tanzanian Emilio Norfat (24-6, 18KOs), while Rocky 'Road Warrior' Fuentes (35-8, 20KOs) eyes an early stoppage against Indon foe Afrizal Tamboresi (11-3, 6KOs). (FREEMAN)