Ruben Villa. (Photograph by Brett Ostrowski)
Ruben Villa is demonstrating one loss doesn’t outline a profession. He has demonstrated he can defeat world titleholders as properly.
Villa, rated No. 10 by The Ring at 126 kilos, is able to once more battle for a world title belt, however should first get by fringe contender Sulaiman Segawa Saturday evening 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 battle) that can stream stay 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 resolution. In his earlier battle on September 15, Villa defeated former prospect Brandon Valdes by resolution.
Villa has received his final 4 fights since shedding a detailed unanimous resolution to Emanuel Navarrete in October 2020. The vacant WBO featherweight title was up for grabs in a battle that noticed Villa get dropped twice and two judges’ scorecards having Navarrete profitable 114-112. Villa realized quite a bit about himself that evening that made him a greater fighter.
“It was the primary time I had been knocked down in a battle,” Villa advised The Ring on Monday. “What I took from that battle is that I may battle on the elite degree. Have a look at the scores of the battle. I used to be capable of stand up twice and nonetheless made the battle shut. I realized quite a bit about myself when it comes to 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 slightly too early in my profession (to battle for a world title), however I wasn’t afraid to take that problem. I realized 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 high 10 by two of boxing’s sanctioning organizations.
Villa is open to preventing any of the world titleholders, together with IBF titleholder Luis ‘Venado’ Lopez. Villa did defeat Lopez in Could 2019 on a ShoBox card. Paradoxically, Lopez is promoted by High Rank and can defend the world title belt in opposition to Angelo Leo on August 10 in Albuquerque, New Mexico.
“It doesn’t matter which champion I battle,” stated Villa, who beforehand fought underneath the Thompson Boxing banner earlier than signing with High Rank a number of years in the past. “I’ll battle all of them. Clearly, there’s the ‘Venado’ battle. A rematch could be a enjoyable battle. I’d like to battle 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.
During the last couple of years, Villa has given speeches to native excessive faculties and packages to finish their training and be productive in society. His visibility within the metropolis and surrounding space haven’t gone unnoticed, as individuals attain out to him for an image or autograph in public or journey to his fights exterior Salinas.
Villa appreciates the assist, giving him extra motivation to carry a world title to the town.
“Salinas is a prideful place,” stated Villa. “Everybody in that city works arduous. I’m grateful for my fan base. We have been capable of promote 100 tickets to Saturday’s card. I’m excited that the individuals in my hometown consider in me. I wish to proceed doing what’s proper and repping my hometown to the very best of my capability.”
Villa has come a good distance for the reason that loss to Navarrete. He counts on his work ethic and self-discipline out and in of the ring.
“I battle to be a greater model of myself. I’ve develop into extra comfy with the model I’ve developed. I do know followers need extra motion, so I’ve develop into extra aggressive, which I’ve develop into extra assured in.
“Life as a boxer shouldn’t be 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 lined 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]