Aldeguer: Villanueva vs. Demecillo will be classic

THE clash of unbeaten boxers Arthur Villanueva and Marco Demecillo has the making of a classic.

“It could go down as one of the greatest fights in history between two Filipinos because of their styles, whoever wins will definitely be ready for the next level. If you love boxing you have to watch this fight. It’s a matter of who has the bigger heart and the will to win,” ALA Promotions president Michael Aldeguer told Sun.Star Cebu yesterday.

Villanueva will defend his Oriental Pacific Boxing Federation (OPBF) super flyweight crown against mandatory challenger Demecillo in the one of the featured bouts in “Pinoy Pride XIX” in Davao City.

Aldeguer likened the all-Filipino bout with one of the greatest all-Mexican rivalry in boxing history.

“It has the making of a (Marco Antonio) Barrera vs. (Eric) Morales,” he said.

The last time that two prominent Filipino fighters were up against each other was when former world champion Drian Francsico faced grizzled veteran Michael Domingo in 2011.

It isn’t a usual occurrence that two rising Filipino boxers are pitted against each other but Aldeguer has his reason – to pick out the best boxers in the country.

“It is a mandatory fight and it’s good to know that who among the young potential fighters are ready for the big time. If Arthur wins, then he may be ready to be in ‘Pinoy Pride’ and if it is Demecillo, we are willing to sign him up under ALA Promotions and feature him in our ‘Pinoy Pride’ mega events. ALA Promotions will be looking for the best fighters out there, not just from the ALA Gym,” he said.

The 24-year-old Villanueva is 20-0 with 11 knockouts, while the 22-year-old Demecillo is 18-0-1 with 14 knockouts.

The blockbuster boxing show also features the ever popular Rey “Boom-Boom” Bautista and OPBF flyweight champion and highly world-rated Rocky Fuentes.