M'lang, North Cotabato - Farmer's son Edrin "The Sting" Dapudong, who shocked Mexican boxing when he knocked out in less than 2 minutes Mexico's No. 1 Pound for Pound Flyweight and World No. 1 Jesus "The Destroyer" Jimenez to win the World Boxing Council Flyweight Silver Championship, quietly returned home to the Philippines yesterday (June 26) and proceeded to his home in Barangay Pag-asa in this town to celebrate his victory and his 24th birthday with his family, relatives and friends.
Dapudong arrived with his manager, former North Cotabato governor Manny Pinol, and Braveheart Boxing Club chief trainer Noli Pinol from Salinas, California where they spent three days of rest with family friends following his sensational first round KO victory in Tepic City, Mexico June 19. Also in the group was Manny Pinol's wife, Emily.
The new champion was welcomed upon his arrival at the NAIA by Games and Amusements Board (GAB) officials led by boxing chief Dr. Nasser Cruz, international matchmaker Sammy Gelloani who arranged the Mexico fight along with Sampson Leckowicz, customs officer Alfredo "Bok" Cruz, a close friend of Manny Pinol, and fraternity brothers and sisters of Dapudong.
Cruz hosted breakfast for the new champion at the Century Park Sheraton before the party proceeded for the last leg of the journey home, the 1 1/2 hour flight to Davao City which is two hours away from M'lang.
Dapudong, a college student who dropped out of school to pursue his passion for boxing, heard mass at the old Sta. Teresita Parish Church in M'lang early today and will attend a public viewing of his fight against Jimenez at the town's gymnasium which Mayor Lito Pinol arranged so that the champion's townmates will see the video of the Mexico championship bout.
The fight will also be shown on July 3 from 11 am on ABS CBN Studio 23.
Tomorrow, Monday, a motorcade will be arranged from Dapudong's village to the town plaza where he will join the newly reelected mayor, Lito Pinol, and his fellow officials in their oathtaking ceremony.(pr)
6/20/10
Dapudong Destroys The Destroyer
The Philippines' Edren "The Sting" Dapudong, a farmer's son from M'lang, North Cotabato demolished Mexico's Pound-for-Pound No. 1 boxer Jesus "The Destroyer" Jimenez in less than two minutes of the first round of a scheduled 12-round world championship to win the World Boxing Council (WBC) Flyweight Silver title in this historic mountain city.
The 23-year-old former World Boxing Organization (WBO) Oriental Junior Flyweight champion who was fighting as a flyweight for the first time, initiated the action right at the start of the bell connecting with crisp jabs to the face of the left-handed Jimenez and heavy blows to the midsection.
At 1:20 minutes of the round, Dapudong connected with a right straight to Jimenez's breadbasket and followed this with a crackling left hook that sent the Mexican crumbling to the canvas. Jimenez beat the count.
As American referee Gerald Ritter signalled the continuation of the fight, Dapudong came rushing in pummelling the 26-year-old Latino champion with thunderous body punches before connecting with another powerful left hook that dropped Jimenez face first to the canvas for the full count at 1:55 of the first.
The knockout victory by Dapudong stunned the Mexican crowd who came expecting an easy fight for Jimenez who is also known as "El Torito" and considered as Mexico's next prospect for a world title. Jimenez is rated No. 1 by both the WBC and the WBO.
Dapudong, who now has a record of 23 wins, against 2 losses and 11 KOs, was not expected to prevail over the high-touted Jimenez. He was informed of the fight only two weeks ago and had to queue up at the US Embassy for a transit visa to Mexico which he got three days before the fight.
Braveheart Boxing Club's chief trainer Noli Pinol, younger brother of Braveheart Boxing Club head former Governor Manny Pinol, however, said that Dapudong had been undergoing light training prior to the news that he will fight for the WBC Silver Flyweight title.
"He was able to adjust easily, especially so since he did not have to lose weight as he will be fighting as a flyweight," Noli said.
Last minute pointers on conditioning shared by Justin Fortune, Manny Pacquiao's former conditioning coach, also helped as Dapudong was able to recover from fatigue and acclimatize easily.(pr)
6/19/10
Dapudong, Garcia and Mexican Foes Make Weight
Filipino boxers Edren "The Sting" Dapudong, who is
fighting for the World Boxing Council (WBC) Flyweight Silver Title, and
Richard Jun Garcia, who battles for the World Boxing Organization (WBO)
Youth Junior Bantamweight title, easily made the weight in their respective
divisions during the official weigh-in today, one day before they go up
against Mexican opponents here.
Dapudong, 23, the former WBO Asia Pacific Miniflyweight Champion and
Oriental Junior Flyweight Champion, tipped the scale at 112 lbs. while his
opponent, Jesus "The Destroyer" Jimenez, who was earlier reported to be
taller and bigger than the Filipino fighter surprisingly came in two pounds
lighter at 110 lbs.
Garcia, who is from Malungon, Saranggani Province, weighed 114 lbs. as
against the Mexican defending champion Jose Montes who came in at 115 lbs..
The two will fight for the WBO Youth World Junior Bantamweight champion.
Braveheart Boxing Club chief trainer Noli Pinol said Dapudong, 24 wins, 2
losses, 14 KOs, appears to have recovered from the long and rigorious trip
and is expected to give Jimenez, 28 wins, 5 losses, 20 KOs, a tough fight
tomorrow.
Dapudong has never been knocked down in his career while Jimenez has
suffered 3 KO losses.(pr)
fighting for the World Boxing Council (WBC) Flyweight Silver Title, and
Richard Jun Garcia, who battles for the World Boxing Organization (WBO)
Youth Junior Bantamweight title, easily made the weight in their respective
divisions during the official weigh-in today, one day before they go up
against Mexican opponents here.
Dapudong, 23, the former WBO Asia Pacific Miniflyweight Champion and
Oriental Junior Flyweight Champion, tipped the scale at 112 lbs. while his
opponent, Jesus "The Destroyer" Jimenez, who was earlier reported to be
taller and bigger than the Filipino fighter surprisingly came in two pounds
lighter at 110 lbs.
Garcia, who is from Malungon, Saranggani Province, weighed 114 lbs. as
against the Mexican defending champion Jose Montes who came in at 115 lbs..
The two will fight for the WBO Youth World Junior Bantamweight champion.
Braveheart Boxing Club chief trainer Noli Pinol said Dapudong, 24 wins, 2
losses, 14 KOs, appears to have recovered from the long and rigorious trip
and is expected to give Jimenez, 28 wins, 5 losses, 20 KOs, a tough fight
tomorrow.
Dapudong has never been knocked down in his career while Jimenez has
suffered 3 KO losses.(pr)
Dapudong Gets Conditioning Tips from Justin Fortune
Filipino flyweight Edren "The Sting" Dapudong
arrived in this mountain city near the Pacific Coast of Mexico yesterday
after a long and rigorous travel to take on the biggest fight of his young
boxing career, the World Boxing Council (WBC) Silver Flyweight Championship
against Mexico's Jesus "The Destroyer" Jimenez on Saturday, June 19.
Braveheart Boxing Club chief trainer Noli Pinol said Dapudong, 23, the
former World Boxing Organization (WBO) Youth Asia Pacific Miniflyweight
Champion and Oriental Junior Flyweight Champion, has no problem making the
112-lb. weight limit. He is also confident that the last minute conditioning
tips shared by top conditioning coach Justin Fortune will help the fighter
from North Cotabato acclimatize and overcome fatigue.
Fortune, who is known to Filipino boxing fans as the conditioning coach of
boxing icon Manny Pacquiao before he and Hall of Fame boxing trainer Freddie
Roach parted ways, provided Dapudong with last minute dietary instructions
upon the request of the Filipino boxer's manager, North Cotabato Vice Gov.
Manny Pinol.
"It will not do much but it will help him acclimatize and overcome fatigue,"
Fortune told Vice Gov. Pinol when they met in Los Angeles, California prior
to the arrival of Dapudong and Noli Pinol.
Fortune said his dietary tips will address the biggest problem encountered
by travelling fighters -- acclimatization and fatigue.
During the press briefing held in Tepic yesterday, Noli and Dapudong were
also pleasantly surprised when Jimenez, who is listed in boxrec.com as being
5' 7", is just half an inch taller than the 5' 5" tall Filipino fighter.
"He is not 5' 7" after all," said Noli adding that the height factor will no
longer come into play in the championship fight.
Dapudong, a farmer's son from M'lang, North Cotabato, is largely unknown to
many boxing fans but boxing experts, including veteran boxing manager Lito
Mondejar, has identified him as a world title prospect.
The most important fights that Dapudong figured in were against former world
miniflyweight champion Muhammad Rachman of Indonesia which he lost by
decision and against veteran Bert Batawang whom he knocked out in Cebu City
last year to win the WBO Oriental Junior Flyweight crown.(pr)
arrived in this mountain city near the Pacific Coast of Mexico yesterday
after a long and rigorous travel to take on the biggest fight of his young
boxing career, the World Boxing Council (WBC) Silver Flyweight Championship
against Mexico's Jesus "The Destroyer" Jimenez on Saturday, June 19.
Braveheart Boxing Club chief trainer Noli Pinol said Dapudong, 23, the
former World Boxing Organization (WBO) Youth Asia Pacific Miniflyweight
Champion and Oriental Junior Flyweight Champion, has no problem making the
112-lb. weight limit. He is also confident that the last minute conditioning
tips shared by top conditioning coach Justin Fortune will help the fighter
from North Cotabato acclimatize and overcome fatigue.
Fortune, who is known to Filipino boxing fans as the conditioning coach of
boxing icon Manny Pacquiao before he and Hall of Fame boxing trainer Freddie
Roach parted ways, provided Dapudong with last minute dietary instructions
upon the request of the Filipino boxer's manager, North Cotabato Vice Gov.
Manny Pinol.
"It will not do much but it will help him acclimatize and overcome fatigue,"
Fortune told Vice Gov. Pinol when they met in Los Angeles, California prior
to the arrival of Dapudong and Noli Pinol.
Fortune said his dietary tips will address the biggest problem encountered
by travelling fighters -- acclimatization and fatigue.
During the press briefing held in Tepic yesterday, Noli and Dapudong were
also pleasantly surprised when Jimenez, who is listed in boxrec.com as being
5' 7", is just half an inch taller than the 5' 5" tall Filipino fighter.
"He is not 5' 7" after all," said Noli adding that the height factor will no
longer come into play in the championship fight.
Dapudong, a farmer's son from M'lang, North Cotabato, is largely unknown to
many boxing fans but boxing experts, including veteran boxing manager Lito
Mondejar, has identified him as a world title prospect.
The most important fights that Dapudong figured in were against former world
miniflyweight champion Muhammad Rachman of Indonesia which he lost by
decision and against veteran Bert Batawang whom he knocked out in Cebu City
last year to win the WBO Oriental Junior Flyweight crown.(pr)
6/17/10
Visa Issuance Delay Bugs Dapudong's Title Fight
A paper work glitch has delayed the departure of Filipino boxer Edren Dapudong who is set to fight for the vacant World Boxing Council (WBC) Silver Flyweight title in Tepic City, Mexico on June 19.
Dapudong, 23, the former World Boxing Organization Oriental Junior Flyweight champion was supposed to leave for Mexico via the United States June 15 and was expected to arrive in Tepic City on June 16. A document required by the US embassy in Manila which Dapudong failed to submit initially, however, delayed the approval of his transit visa.
"He is sure to leave June 16 and will be in Mexico on June 17, two days before the fight," said promoter Sammy Gelloani who arranged the WBC championship bout between Dapudong and Mexican Jesus Jimenez.
Noli Pinol, chief trainer of the Braveheart Boxing Club of North Cotabato to which Dapudong belongs, said the delay and the rigors of processing the travel papers at the last minute are expected to affect Dapudong's performance.
"Dehado talaga tayo dito kasi pagod ang boxer sa kababalik sa US embassy para mag-process ng papeles. Pero wala naman tayong magagawa kundi tanggapin ang laban because this is our only chance to appear in a big fight," Noli Pinol said.
While largely unknown abroad, Dapudong, who has a record of of 22 wins with 14 KOs against 2 losses, is considered as one of the top flyweights in the Philippines. His losses were all by decision, one of which was against former world champion Muhammad Rachman of Indonesia.
In Cebu City last year, he knocked out veteran Bert Batawang before a hometown crowd but lost the title when he failed to defend it within six months.
Since losing to Rachman, Dapudong, 23, has piled up victories and is highly rated by the world boxing bodies in the junior flyweight division.
Jimenez, known as "The Destroyer," is the current Latino flyweight champion and has a record of 28 wins with 20 KOs against 5 losses, three of which came by way of knockout.
The WBC Silver Flyweight Championship, a new title established by the WBC to recognize upcoming world title contenders, is set for 12 rounds.(pr)
Dapudong, 23, the former World Boxing Organization Oriental Junior Flyweight champion was supposed to leave for Mexico via the United States June 15 and was expected to arrive in Tepic City on June 16. A document required by the US embassy in Manila which Dapudong failed to submit initially, however, delayed the approval of his transit visa.
"He is sure to leave June 16 and will be in Mexico on June 17, two days before the fight," said promoter Sammy Gelloani who arranged the WBC championship bout between Dapudong and Mexican Jesus Jimenez.
Noli Pinol, chief trainer of the Braveheart Boxing Club of North Cotabato to which Dapudong belongs, said the delay and the rigors of processing the travel papers at the last minute are expected to affect Dapudong's performance.
"Dehado talaga tayo dito kasi pagod ang boxer sa kababalik sa US embassy para mag-process ng papeles. Pero wala naman tayong magagawa kundi tanggapin ang laban because this is our only chance to appear in a big fight," Noli Pinol said.
While largely unknown abroad, Dapudong, who has a record of of 22 wins with 14 KOs against 2 losses, is considered as one of the top flyweights in the Philippines. His losses were all by decision, one of which was against former world champion Muhammad Rachman of Indonesia.
In Cebu City last year, he knocked out veteran Bert Batawang before a hometown crowd but lost the title when he failed to defend it within six months.
Since losing to Rachman, Dapudong, 23, has piled up victories and is highly rated by the world boxing bodies in the junior flyweight division.
Jimenez, known as "The Destroyer," is the current Latino flyweight champion and has a record of 28 wins with 20 KOs against 5 losses, three of which came by way of knockout.
The WBC Silver Flyweight Championship, a new title established by the WBC to recognize upcoming world title contenders, is set for 12 rounds.(pr)
6/16/10
Lorenzo Villanueva-Eric Macas Rematch Now on YouTube
Kidapawan City - The much-awaited video of the rematch between World Boxing Organization (WBO) Oriental Featherweight champion Lorenzo "Thunderbolt" Villanueva of North Cotabato and Eric Macas of Maranding, Lanao del Norte is now on YouTube.com.
The 12-round Oriental championship bout which was held on Feb. 14, 2010 in M'lang, North Cotabato was arranged eight months after the controversial first encounter between Villanueva and Macas in the latter's home turf in Ozamis City, Misamis Occidental.
In the first fight, Macas was initially declared the winner by Technical Decision by the referee and the panel of the Games and Amusements Board (GAB) after the ringside physician ruled that the cut suffered by Macas was serious and the boxer could not continue fighting.
The referee ruled that it was a headbutt that caused the cut. A review of the video, however, showed that the cut was caused by a legitimate blow and that the referee waited for a long time before declaring that the cut was caused by a headbutt.
A review committee headed by Commissioner Angel Bautista overturned the ruling of the referee and the GAB panel and declared the fight a No Decision.
In the February rematch, which Villanueva won by knockout in the 2nd round, the North Cotabato fighter showed fight fans that he could have won the first fight too had the referee not erred in his ruling on the cut.
With the victory over Macas, the undefeated 23-year-old orphan from Midsayap, North Cotabato improved his record to 18 wins with 17 knockouts.(pr)
The 12-round Oriental championship bout which was held on Feb. 14, 2010 in M'lang, North Cotabato was arranged eight months after the controversial first encounter between Villanueva and Macas in the latter's home turf in Ozamis City, Misamis Occidental.
In the first fight, Macas was initially declared the winner by Technical Decision by the referee and the panel of the Games and Amusements Board (GAB) after the ringside physician ruled that the cut suffered by Macas was serious and the boxer could not continue fighting.
The referee ruled that it was a headbutt that caused the cut. A review of the video, however, showed that the cut was caused by a legitimate blow and that the referee waited for a long time before declaring that the cut was caused by a headbutt.
A review committee headed by Commissioner Angel Bautista overturned the ruling of the referee and the GAB panel and declared the fight a No Decision.
In the February rematch, which Villanueva won by knockout in the 2nd round, the North Cotabato fighter showed fight fans that he could have won the first fight too had the referee not erred in his ruling on the cut.
With the victory over Macas, the undefeated 23-year-old orphan from Midsayap, North Cotabato improved his record to 18 wins with 17 knockouts.(pr)
6/15/10
Dapudong Spars with Japanese Ex-World Champ; All Set for WBC Flyweight Title Fight
Manila - Former World Boxing Organization (WBO) Oriental Junior Flyweight Champion Edren "The Sting" Dapudong sparred with the former World Boxing Association flyweight titist Koki Kameda at the Wild Card Gym in Paranaque and displayed the tenacity and skills that could earn him the World Boxing Council (WBC) flyweight silver championship on Saturday, June 19.
Dapudong, 23, a shy farmer's son from Mlang, North Cotabato is set to travel to Mexico on June 15 for a 12-round championship fight against Mexican Jesus "The Destroyer" Jimenez in the resort city of Tepic in Nayarit Province, some 200 kilometers south of Guadalajara.
Chief trainer Noli Pinol who will work in the corner of Dapudong in the fight against Jimenez said the young fighter from North Cotabato impressed the Japanese champion with his relentless attack and effective defensive style.
Kameda, one of the two brothers who have won world titles, said Jimenez is big and strong but Dapudong has a big chance of winning because the Mexican is slower and is expected to be affected by weight reduction.
Dapudong, a product of the amateur boxing program launched by then North Cotabato Governor Manny Pinol in 1998 won the WBO Asia Pacific Youth Miniflyweight title at age 18 but had to relinguish it to move up to the junior flyweight division where he won the WBO Oriental championship by knocking out veteran Bert Batawang in Cebu City last year. He has a record of 24 wins against 2 losses with 14 KOs.
Jimenez, 26, is a known power puncher who has a record of 28 wins with 5 losses and 20 KOs.
In spite of the short notice for the fight, chief trainer Noli is confident that Dapudong will surprise the Mexican.
Dapudong is one of the largely unknown but outstanding fighters from North Cotabato who were discovered through the Paboksing Para sa Masa program of then Governor Pinol. The program included the hiring of Cuban coach Honorato Espinosa who trained local trainers in North Cotabato for over one year.
Other outstanding boxers from North Cotabato who are waiting for their chance for the big fights are featherweight Lorenzo "Thunderbolt" Villanueva ( 18 wins, 17 KOs), bantamweight Rolando "Smooth Operator" Magbanua, 24 (17 wins, 1 loss, 12 KOs), bantamweight Glenn "The Rock" Porras, 24 (24 wins, 2 losses 12 KOs), miniflyweight Rommel "Little Assassin" Asenjo (18 wins, 2 losses, 15 KOs) and undefeated flyweight Jermie Jabel. (pr)
Dapudong, 23, a shy farmer's son from Mlang, North Cotabato is set to travel to Mexico on June 15 for a 12-round championship fight against Mexican Jesus "The Destroyer" Jimenez in the resort city of Tepic in Nayarit Province, some 200 kilometers south of Guadalajara.
Chief trainer Noli Pinol who will work in the corner of Dapudong in the fight against Jimenez said the young fighter from North Cotabato impressed the Japanese champion with his relentless attack and effective defensive style.
Kameda, one of the two brothers who have won world titles, said Jimenez is big and strong but Dapudong has a big chance of winning because the Mexican is slower and is expected to be affected by weight reduction.
Dapudong, a product of the amateur boxing program launched by then North Cotabato Governor Manny Pinol in 1998 won the WBO Asia Pacific Youth Miniflyweight title at age 18 but had to relinguish it to move up to the junior flyweight division where he won the WBO Oriental championship by knocking out veteran Bert Batawang in Cebu City last year. He has a record of 24 wins against 2 losses with 14 KOs.
Jimenez, 26, is a known power puncher who has a record of 28 wins with 5 losses and 20 KOs.
In spite of the short notice for the fight, chief trainer Noli is confident that Dapudong will surprise the Mexican.
Dapudong is one of the largely unknown but outstanding fighters from North Cotabato who were discovered through the Paboksing Para sa Masa program of then Governor Pinol. The program included the hiring of Cuban coach Honorato Espinosa who trained local trainers in North Cotabato for over one year.
Other outstanding boxers from North Cotabato who are waiting for their chance for the big fights are featherweight Lorenzo "Thunderbolt" Villanueva ( 18 wins, 17 KOs), bantamweight Rolando "Smooth Operator" Magbanua, 24 (17 wins, 1 loss, 12 KOs), bantamweight Glenn "The Rock" Porras, 24 (24 wins, 2 losses 12 KOs), miniflyweight Rommel "Little Assassin" Asenjo (18 wins, 2 losses, 15 KOs) and undefeated flyweight Jermie Jabel. (pr)
6/8/10
Undefeated Featherweight Dreams of Training With Freddie Roach
Featherweight Lorenzo "Thunderbolt" Villanueva, the 23-year-old power puncher from Midsayap, North Cotabato who holds a spectacular and immaculate fight record of 18 wins with 17 KOs, has one dream as a boxer - to train under Hall of Fame boxing coach Freddie Roach.
"I have learned a lot from my trainers, especially coach Noli Pinol, but I believe that coach Freddie Roach will be able to transform me into a better fighter like what he did to Manny Pacquiao," said Villanueva, a shy boy who turned to boxing at an early age when he lost his father and his mother could no longer send him to school.
Villanueva, who is currently the WBO Oriental featherweight champion, is tall at 5' 7" and a tremendous puncher, is described by his manager, North Cotabato Vice Governor Manny Pinol, as an awkward fighter who needs fine-tuning from celebrated trainer Freddie Roach.
"I have seen how Freddie was able to transform Manny Pacquiao from a one-handed and one-dimensional fighter to become the greatest fighter of all time. I believe he can do this with Lorenzo Villanueva," said Vice Gov. Pinol.
Pinol said he has asked Billy Keane, who serves as Gerry Penalosa's manager, to help in convincing Freddie Roach to give Villanueva a chance to train under him.
"You don't find boxers like Lorenzo everyday. The boy has a heart as large as a battleship, he has the power and most of all the discipline. It's a pity if we don't get him the best training that he needs to realize his full potentials as a fighter," said Pinol.
He said there is no problem with the current training staff handling Villanueva, inluding Braveheart chief trainer Noli PInol, as all of them are believers of Freddie Roach's training program and style.
Villanueva, a southpaw like Manny Pacquiao, is currently training for a July 24 fight in a promotion to be staged by former world bantamweight champion Gerry Penalosa in Manila.
Three other Braveheart boxers -- bantamweights Jundy "Pretty Boy" Maraon, Rolando "Smooth Operator" Magbanua and Glenn "The Rock" Porras -- are also expected to see action in the July 24 fight card.
Villanueva said that training under Freddie Roach would be the realization of a long cherished dream which he believes could open up the doors of opportunities for him in boxing.
"I hope he gives me a chance to prove my worth as a boxer," Villanueva said.
Billy Keane who now represents the Braveheart boxers in the United States said he will do his best to convince Freddie Roach to take a look at the Thunderbolt.
"I have learned a lot from my trainers, especially coach Noli Pinol, but I believe that coach Freddie Roach will be able to transform me into a better fighter like what he did to Manny Pacquiao," said Villanueva, a shy boy who turned to boxing at an early age when he lost his father and his mother could no longer send him to school.
Villanueva, who is currently the WBO Oriental featherweight champion, is tall at 5' 7" and a tremendous puncher, is described by his manager, North Cotabato Vice Governor Manny Pinol, as an awkward fighter who needs fine-tuning from celebrated trainer Freddie Roach.
"I have seen how Freddie was able to transform Manny Pacquiao from a one-handed and one-dimensional fighter to become the greatest fighter of all time. I believe he can do this with Lorenzo Villanueva," said Vice Gov. Pinol.
Pinol said he has asked Billy Keane, who serves as Gerry Penalosa's manager, to help in convincing Freddie Roach to give Villanueva a chance to train under him.
"You don't find boxers like Lorenzo everyday. The boy has a heart as large as a battleship, he has the power and most of all the discipline. It's a pity if we don't get him the best training that he needs to realize his full potentials as a fighter," said Pinol.
He said there is no problem with the current training staff handling Villanueva, inluding Braveheart chief trainer Noli PInol, as all of them are believers of Freddie Roach's training program and style.
Villanueva, a southpaw like Manny Pacquiao, is currently training for a July 24 fight in a promotion to be staged by former world bantamweight champion Gerry Penalosa in Manila.
Three other Braveheart boxers -- bantamweights Jundy "Pretty Boy" Maraon, Rolando "Smooth Operator" Magbanua and Glenn "The Rock" Porras -- are also expected to see action in the July 24 fight card.
Villanueva said that training under Freddie Roach would be the realization of a long cherished dream which he believes could open up the doors of opportunities for him in boxing.
"I hope he gives me a chance to prove my worth as a boxer," Villanueva said.
Billy Keane who now represents the Braveheart boxers in the United States said he will do his best to convince Freddie Roach to take a look at the Thunderbolt.
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