SUMMARY
This is AI generated summarization, which may have errors. For context, always refer to the full article.
SINGAPORE- Not known to many Filipinos is rising-prospect Lorenzo “Thunderbolt” Villanueva who sports an undefeated record of 22 wins with no losses.
Villanueva, who fights under the famed ALA stable, is no ordinary fighter.
Of his 22 current victories, only 1 opponent was able to last the distance. The remaining 21 opponents were not as fortunate, losing by knockout to the Filipino. That’s 21 knockout victories for Villanueva giving him a 91.3% KO Rate.
Now some critics say that 21 KO’s is easy to achieve given that a fighter is matched up against meager competition.
While there is some truth to this, the manner in which Villanueva has defeated his opponents leaves no doubt of the pop he has in both hands. From all accounts, “Thunderbolt” has some serious brain scrambling power behind some albeit unpolished techniques.
He’s raw and that’s a given, flying low under the radar – but observers and critics alike all claim him to be the real deal.
21 victories by knockout out of 22 trips to the ring is no easy task.
Comparison to the late Edwin Valero
Villanueva draws comparisons to former featherweight knockout artist, Edwin “El Inca” Valero of Venezuela, who died tragically in a messy murder-suicide drama a few years ago.
Valero, during his once promising boxing career, tallied 27 total victories with all wins coming by way of knockout including 19 straight in the first round. Before he passed away, he was on the verge of landing a mega-fight with Manny Pacquiao which would have been one of the most action-packed bouts and was definitely looked forward to by many.
The similarities between Villanueva and Valero are striking.
Both men are stand-up straight fighters who throw wide, predictable punches but always seem to manage to hit the target. Behind each shot is devastating knockout potential.
Valero’s former manager Jose Castillo has witnessed Villanueva in action and claims him to be Edwin Valero ‘reborn’.
“Villanueva fights just like Valero when Robert Alcazar first handled him,” said Castillo. He also said that Villanueva has the same type of power and heart as the Venezuelan.
Villanueva however, has a long way to go in terms of polishing up his technique and improving upon defense before he can even reach the level of Valero, a former world champion.
World title challenger
On May 5th, 2012, Lorenzo “Thunderbolt” Villanueva will challenge formidable foe Daud Cino Yordan of Indonesia for the vacant IBO featherweight championship of the world.
The fight will take place at the prestigious Marina Bay Sands Hotel in Singapore, in a country aiming to be the newest boxing hotspot, and is scheduled for 12 rounds.
It is the co-featured bout alongside main event contestants Chris John and Shoji Kimura.
This could be Villanueva’s chance to showcase his special talents to the world, as the world will definitely be watching. If Villanueva can beat tough as nails Yordan, and look good in the process, the doors of opportunity will open for the talented Pinoy pugilist.
This of course, is all easier said than done as Yordan himself also sports an impressive 28-2-0 record with 22 KO’s.
With a victory, Villanueva would become one of the Philippines’ few world champions, and subsequently signal his arrival on the big stage. – Rappler.com
Related stories:
Add a comment
How does this make you feel?
There are no comments yet. Add your comment to start the conversation.