Villanueva primed for rematch with Jimenez

WBO #1 bantamweight “King” Arthur Villanueva is determined to leave no doubt against WBC Continental Americas super flyweight champion Juan “El Penita” Jimenez in their rematch on September 24 at the Stubhub Center, Carson, CA. Villanueva once again faces Jimenez as one of the main undercards in ALA Promotions, TFC, and Abs-cbn’s “Philippines vs Mexico” event that features the flyweight debut of former world champion Donnie “Ahas” Nietes.

Villanueva and Jimenez’ first confrontation came late May of this year for the WBO Asia Pacific Bantamweight title in the Philippines where Jimenez was able to knock Villanueva down during the second round. Villanueva got back on his feet and, hitting Jimenez’ with a hard left and right, successfully scored a knockdown against the Mexican in the third round. In an exchange of blows during the next round, the fighters’ heads collided, leaving an unconscious Jimenez on the canvas. The referee announced Villanueva as the new WBO Asia Pacific bantamweight champion after Jimenez failed to get back up within the 21-second count. Some spectators, those who watched the replay on TV, and most especially Jimenez’ team, expressed a different decision against the referee. Team Jimenez went as far as to appeal for a rematch with Villanueva, with which ALA Promotions granted.

Fast-forward to September as their second confrontation draws closer, Villanueva says he is not in any way bothered by other people’s opinion with how the decision could have been. In fact, he says it gives him more encouragement to give a better performance come September 24. In an interview, Villanueva said he would give a fight good enough to kill all doubts surrounding his victory last May, “I want to prove them I deserve the title and to win. This time, there’ll be no questions. I’ll win again.”

Also seeing action in this third US promotion for ALA is the unbeaten prospect and WBO International Featherweight champion Mark “Magnifico” Magsayo against Mexican Ruben Garcia.

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