Pinoy pride 34 'King' Arthur, Mexican foe boldly predict KO victory

CEBU, Philippines - One-time world title challenger ‘King' Arthur Villanueva (27-1, 14KOs) said he is a bit pressured but remains confident in prevailing over Mexican hard-puncher Victor ‘Spock’ Mendez (19-2, 15KOs) in their WBC International super flyweight championship match headlining of the highly anticipated  ‘Pinoy Pride 34: Back with a Vengeance’ fightcard this Saturday night at the Hoops Dome in Barangay Gun-ob, Lapu-Lapu City.

Villanueva's ALA stablemate Milan "El Metodico" Melindo was initially set to see action in the main event against Carlos “Divino” Fontes for the WBO International light flyweight belt, but the Mexican could not fight after being diagnosed with dengue fever.

With this, Melindo's duel with last minute substitute Victor Emmanuel Olivo has been downgraded to a 10-round, non-title bout, while Villanueva was elevated to the main event.

“I was shocked when I heard that I will now be fighting in the main event. I'm a little bit pressured because the fans now have high espectations on me to deliver the final win of the night for the Filipinos,” said Villanueva. “But it won’t affect my mindset as I am still dead serious in claiming that belt.”

The Bacolod City fighter said he is itching to trade blows with Mendez, a heavy-handed brawler.              

“We carefully studied his (Mendez) tapes and I noticed that he is really a brawler who wants to go toe-to-toe, which is a good thing for me. This will surely be an exciting one. I don’t see this fight lasting 12 rounds,” he added.

Coming off a controversial 10th round technical decision loss to McJoe Arroyo of Puerto Rico during their IBF title bout last July in Texas, Villanueva seeks no less than redemption against Mendez, even as he also tries to show that he stills deserves of another world title crack.

Villanueva must be extra careful though as the Mexican aims to spoil whatever plan he has in mind.

“If he says that there will be a knockout, then I am also ready for a knockout win.  I already have a vision of carrying that belt back to Mexico,” said Mendez.

On the other hand, Melindo (32-2, 12KOs) is not letting his guard down even if he is facing a last-minute replacement in Olivo (9-0, 4KOs).

Melindo said he is still hard-pressed to make an impression against the undefeated Olivo, who is stablemate of his former tormentor and WBO/WBA flyweight champion Juan Francisco Estrada.

“He (Olivo) is a replacement but I think the disadvantage is with me because now I have to adjust to him.  This guy is an orthodox boxer and I prepared for a southpaw. He is also short, while I sparred with taller guys to prepare for Fontes,” said Melindo.

In the undercards of the slambang card bankrolled by ALA Promotions and ABS-CBN Sports, Kevin Jake 'KJ' Cataraja, AJ 'Bazooka' Banal and Rocky 'The Road Warrior' Fuentes face tough assignments against foreign rivals.

Cataraja (1-0, 1KO) takes on Indonesian Faris Nenggo (10-8, 3KOs), Banal battles Tanzanian Emilio Norfat (24-6, 18KOs), while Fuentes (35-8, 20KOs) tackles Afrizal Tamboresi (11-3, 6KOs), also of Indonesia.  (FREEMAN)