Birth of a hero

It was like a script from a movie. A Filipino pug left behind his wife and their four-month-old son in Manila to seek fame and fortune in America. For three months, the fighter trained in virtual seclusion in Pensacola, Florida. Then, he finally got his break. The San Francisco immigration lawyer who brought him to the US arranged a fight on ESPN cable TV.

The Filipino looked undernourished, standing beside his muscular Mexican opponent. But his heart was much bigger. He borrowed boxing shoes from another Filipino and wore them even if they were a size small. When the bell rang, war broke out. Early in the third round, the Filipino threw a right cross that landed on the jaw.

The Mexican took an eight-count and got up on rubbery legs. The referee had seen enough.

The Filipino scored a sensational knockout in his US debut. A hero was born.

Orlando Villaflor, 20, never fought as an amateur before turning pro in 1997. The youngest of nine children, he was born in Bagamanoc, about six kilometers from Virac in Catanduanes and finished only up to first year in high school. Villaflor always dreamed of a more exciting life than helping his father Floro, 74, and mother Epifania, 67, work the family’s coconut and abaca farms. So at 17, he went to Manila.

Villaflor found out life was difficult in the big city, too. He got a job in a bakery and hung out with the neighborhood gang in Novaliches. His friends were boxing fans. Soon, Villaflor got hooked to the fight game, idolizing the likes of Manny Pacquiao and Joe Escriber. For extra money, he decided to try his luck as a fighter and worked with trainer Jun Montesa in Mandaluyong.

As it turned out, Villaflor was a natural. After only a few weeks of training, Villaflor made his pro debut and halted Jimmy San Isidro in two. He couldn’t stop winning and last year, halted Dorn Dutch Boy-Gym of Thailand to capture the vacant World Boxing Federation (WBF) featherweight title.

Last March, immigration lawyer Sydney Hall–a frequent Manila visitor–brought Villaflor and Montesa to Roy Jones’ training camp in Pensacola. Villaflor promised his wife, Jennifer, and their newly-born Mac Johnson that he would return home a hero.

Villaflor’s big break came when promoter Peter Howes staged an ESPN card on Pier 32 at the Embarcadero waterfront in San Francisco last May 22. Hall arranged for Villaflor to fight Luis Alfonso Lizarraga in a six-rounder.

Lizarraga, 28 is from Merida, Mexico–hometown of Guty Espadas who beat Luisito Espinosa for the World Boxing Council (WBC) featherweight title last year. He turned pro in 1987 and has battled the likes of ex-world champions Cesar Bazan, Cesar Soto, and Angel Manfredy. Last November, Lizarraga knocked out previously unbeaten Jermaine Fields in Maryland. Fields had not lost in 22 fights. Known as "The Spoiler," Lizarraga was coming off an eight-round decision loss to undefeated Martin O’Malley who was decked once in carving out the hard-earned win. He was considered a dangerous opponent for Villaflor.

Hall took Villaflor to San Francisco two weeks before the fight. Villaflor’s boxing shoes were supposed to be shipped from Pensacola but never came. So he borrowed size 8 1/2 shoes from Espinosa – who now lives in Daly City – even if he wears 9 1/2. Villaflor said he would end the fight early so his feet wouldn’t ache too much.

Hall recruited former lightheavyweight Terry Lee, 57, to act as Villaflor’s second for the fight. Lee who manages a gym for Oakland As owner Ken Hoffman in Concord, brought in Phil Mondello as cutman. Montesa and Fermin Aniel were Villaflor’s other cornermen.

Villaflor didn’t seem awed by the glitz of the ESPN show which featured a live band, scantily-clad round girls, a pair of heavyweights in the main event, and lots of "beautiful" people. Over 3,000 fans showed up for Howe’s 10th promotion in three years.

Villaflor tore into Lizarraga at the first bell. The Mexican bounced back to take the second round before referee Jon Schorle stopped it at 0:37 of the third. Judges Dave Nelson, Marty Sammon, and John Campbell scored it 19-all after two rounds.

Lizarraga wept in his dressing room and refused to sign his conforme to a mandatory 45-day suspension imposed by the California State Athletic Commission for losing by knockout. He claimed he tripped and twisted his ankle. Lizarraga said Villaflor never touched him. Commission official Bobby Ponzio, however, refused to listen and insisted on the suspension.

Villaflor raised his record to 19-0-1, with 14 KOs. The loss dropped Lizarraga’s mark to 30-24-3, with 22 KOs.

Villaflor said by beating Lizarraga, he somewhat avenged Espinosa’s defeat to Espadas. He dedicated his win to Espinosa who watched the fight at ringside. Villaflor is booked to fight again in New York next month.

"I like the kid’s heart," said Lee. "He can take a punch and he’s a hard puncher."

After the win, Villaflor phoned his wife long distance to relate the good news. Sure, he was homesick but the sweet taste of victory was a consolation.

Howes is looking for a hero in the Bay Area–someone to revive boxing interest in the Asian community. Hall said Villaflor fits the bill nicely.