Ruben Villa. (Picture by Brett Ostrowski)
Ruben Villa is demonstrating one loss doesn’t outline a profession. He has demonstrated he can defeat world titleholders as nicely.
Villa, rated No. 10 by The Ring at 126 kilos, is able to once more struggle for a world title belt, however should first get by fringe contender Sulaiman Segawa Saturday night time on the Palms Resort On line casino in Las Vegas, Nevada.
The ten-round bout will happen on the undercard of the Raymond Muratalla-Tevin Farmer light-weight bout (beforehand headlined by the now cancelled Janibek Alimkhanuly-Andrei Mikhailovich unified world middleweight title struggle) that may stream reside on ESPN+ (6:50 p.m. ET/ 3:50 p.m. PT).
The southpaw Villa (22-1, 7 knockouts) final fought on April 13, defeating Cristian Cruz Chacon by unanimous determination. In his earlier struggle on September 15, Villa defeated former prospect Brandon Valdes by determination.
Villa has gained his final 4 fights since dropping an in depth unanimous determination to Emanuel Navarrete in October 2020. The vacant WBO featherweight title was up for grabs in a struggle that noticed Villa get dropped twice and two judges’ scorecards having Navarrete successful 114-112. Villa discovered so much about himself that night time that made him a greater fighter.
“It was the primary time I had been knocked down in a struggle,” Villa informed The Ring on Monday. “What I took from that struggle is that I might struggle on the elite stage. Have a look at the scores of the struggle. I used to be capable of rise up twice and nonetheless made the struggle shut. I discovered so much about myself by way of expereince and what I’ve to do to be a greater fighter.
“I’m hungrier now. High Rank has been retaining me busy. I wish to placed on dominant performances. Possibly it was a little bit too early in my profession (to struggle for a world title), however I wasn’t afraid to take that problem. I discovered from what occurred and I do know I’ll win a world title belt when given that chance.”
The 27-year-old Villa is ranked No. 1 by the WBC. Rey Vargas holds that sanctioning physique’s world title belt. Villa can also be ranked within the prime 10 by two of boxing’s sanctioning organizations.
Villa is open to combating any of the world titleholders, together with IBF titleholder Luis ‘Venado’ Lopez. Villa did defeat Lopez in Could 2019 on a ShoBox card. Mockingly, Lopez is promoted by High Rank and can defend the world title belt towards Angelo Leo on August 10 in Albuquerque, New Mexico.
“It doesn’t matter which champion I struggle,” stated Villa, who beforehand fought beneath the Thompson Boxing banner earlier than signing with High Rank a couple of years in the past. “I’ll struggle all of them. Clearly, there’s the ‘Venado’ struggle. A rematch could be a enjoyable struggle. I’d like to struggle him once more.”
Villa resides in Salinas, California, the place he has fought a handful of occasions as a professional. Well-known for being surrounded by agricultural farmland, Salinas identifies as a blue-collar city, and has embraced Villa.
Over the past couple of years, Villa has given speeches to native excessive colleges and packages to finish their schooling and be productive in society. His visibility within the metropolis and surrounding space haven’t gone unnoticed, as folks attain out to him for an image or autograph in public or journey to his fights exterior Salinas.
Villa appreciates the help, giving him extra motivation to carry a world title to the town.
“Salinas is a prideful place,” stated Villa. “Everybody in that city works laborious. I’m grateful for my fan base. We had been capable of promote 100 tickets to Saturday’s card. I’m excited that the folks in my hometown imagine in me. I wish to proceed doing what’s proper and repping my hometown to the most effective of my skill.”
Villa has come a great distance because the loss to Navarrete. He counts on his work ethic and self-discipline out and in of the ring.
“I struggle to be a greater model of myself. I’ve change into extra snug with the type I’ve developed. I do know followers need extra motion, so I’ve change into extra aggressive, which I’ve change into extra assured in.
“Life as a boxer isn’t simple. I simply keep humble and grounded. My boxing expertise and character is who I’m. Boxing is my life.”
Francisco A. Salazar has written for The Ring since October 2013 and has coated boxing in Southern California and overseas since 2000. Francisco additionally covers boxing for the Ventura County (California) Star newspaper. He will be reached at [email protected]
