Villanueva hopes to extend win streak in IBF title fight

Filipino boxer Arthur Villanueva (Photo courtesy of BoxRec)

CEBU CITY – Undefeated Arthur Villanueva hopes to continue his winning streak when he takes on fellow undefeated McJoe Arroyo for the vacant International Boxing Federation (IBF) super flyweight belt on July 18 in El Paso, Texas.

Villanueva is 27-0 with 14 KOs, while Arroyo is 16-0 with 8 KOs.

This is Villanueva’s biggest fight to date and the seven-year pro is undaunted.

“I’m not thinking that I’m fighting in the US, my mindset is that this is my last chance to fight for a world title and I won’t let this slip away,” said Villanueva, who beat Julio Cesar Miranda by unanimous decision in his last fight last Feb. 7.

Arroyo is one tough foe for Villanueva as the former Olympian beat Mark Geraldo for the IBF eliminator in 12 rounds.

Prior to that, he stopped the dangerous Hernan Marquez (37-4) in 11 rounds.

“Arroyo is talented and I see him as the toughest and hardest fight of my career but I’m still positive that I’ll win this fight,” said Villanueva.

Though he will be fighting for the first time in the US, Villaneuva has fought abroad twice, the latest in the United Arab Emirates (UAE) where he beat Henry Maldonado (19-3), by split decision for the IBF international super flyweight title.

“I’m not aiming for a knockout but an impressive finish, but if I get a chance for a knockout, I will go for it,” said Villanueva.

For this fight, Villanueva said he was working with chief ALA trainer Edito Villamor and conditioning coach Nick Curson.

“There are a lot of adjustments in my movement because Coach Edito and Coach Nick are the ones handling my training. It’s going well because I easily learn what they taught me,” said Villanueva.

“At first, I felt a little pressure but now my mind is relaxed and I have positive thoughts that I will win this fight,” he said.