Villanueva out to regain lost ground

LAPU-LAPU CITY, Philippines – After his bitter loss in a world title fight in El Paso, Texas last July, “King” Arthur Villanueva tries to pick up the pieces against Mexico’s Victor Mendez tonight at the Hoops Dome here.

The native of Bago City in Negros Occidental went undefeated in 27 fights then got a crack at the IBF bantamweight crown against Puerto Rico’s McJoe Arroyo, and hoped it was his time.

But the fight did not turn out the way he expected.

Villanueva suffered a cut early on and the fight was eventually stopped by the referee in the 10th round just as the Filipino boxer was turning the tide on his favor.

After yesterday’s official weigh-in for Pinoy Pride 34, in a near-empty annex of the Gaisano Mall here, the 26-year-old Villanueva talked about his failed attempt at the world title.

“Boxing is boxing. Maybe it’s not my time yet to be world champion,” said Villanueva after having some difficulty making weight against Mendez.

On his first attempt, he came in at 115  pounds, half a pound over the limit for their WBC International super-flyweight contest. He took a second attempt to no avail. Then he dropped his boxers and, naked, made weight.

Mendez flexed his muscles and smiled after weighing in on the dot at 115 lbs.

Villanueva is here to impress because a victory should push him back in the circle of contenders. He said he regretted losing in his first crack at the world title.

“Masama talaga ang loob ko. Parang hindi ko naibigay lahat (I felt like I didn’t give it all). Pinag-sisihan ko din yun,” said Villanueva, who trained three months for this fight.

After the weigh-in, he joined his fellow ALA boxers, including Milan Melindo, AJ Banal and Kevin “KJ” Cataraja, backstage to rehydrate and load up on carbo in front of their promoters, Tony and Michael Aldeguer.

Melindo and Banal, still chasing dreams of becoming world champions, face Victor Olivio of Mexico and Emilio Norfat of Tanzania in a pair of non-title bouts that are still expected to draw the crowd.

Cataraja, a flyweight prospect, makes his second pro fight against Faris Nenggo of Indonesia.

Melindo is hoping that a last-minute change in opponent will not keep him off track. His original foe, Carlos Fontes of Mexico, caught dengue and was replaced by Olivio a few days ago.

“All along I trained for a southpaw. Now I’m facing an orthodox fighter,” said Melindo.

Rocky Fuentes takes on Indonesia’s Afrizal Tamboresi in a 115 lb contest. Others seeing action are Melvin Jerusalem vs Crison Omayao, Cris Ganoza vs Fabio Marfa and Christian Bacolod vs Delfin de Asis.