Villareal: I came here to win

WORLD Boxing Council Youth Intercontinental flyweight champion Anthony Villareal is taller, bigger and stronger than highly-rated ALA fighter Milan Melindo.

And with all the odds favoring the former American amateur boxing standout, his team is certain that his bigger frame and slick boxing skills will make him win his title defense this Thursday night in ALA Promotions’ and Smart Sports’ top-billed boxing event “Bakbakan sa Sinulog” at the Waterfront Hotel and Casino in Las Vegas.

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“He’s good on the feet and has good movement. He has power and is too big, too strong and too fast,” Villareal’s trainer, Alberto Franco, said in a press conference yesterday at the Patio Isabel. “Anthony will bring a style that Melindo has never faced. Power wise I think he’ll be surprised.”

Franco described Villareal’s style as a cross between welterweight greats Floyd Mayweather Jr. and Shane Mosley.

“He has Floyd’s defense and Mosley’s aggressiveness. He has a style of making his opponents miss,” he said.

But although Villareal has a touch of Mayweather in his fighting style, Franco said that unlike the former pound-for-pound king, his 22-year-old ward won’t run and promised an action-packed bout that will surely entertain the Cebuano fans.

“It will be a good fight. I will make him miss and make him pay,” said Villareal, who has a record of 9-2 with four knockouts.

Villareal, who never takes a break from training, has been preparing meticulously in California under his coach. He has been sparring with three different partners that mimic the style of Melindo.

“Like what Pacquiao says, the harder you train the easier the fight,” said Villareal.

Franco has seen a few videos of the 21-year-old Melindo’s fights and believes that Villareal has the arsenal to defeat the Filipino warrior.

“I’ve seen videos of him and there’s nothing that I’ve seen that has shown me concern,” said Franco.

“We had a long week but we’re ready to go. We came here to win and not to lose. We saw just little clips but it doesn’t really matter,” said Villareal

Villareal isn’t bothered by fighting outside of his comfort zone, because he is used to traveling in his amateur days.

He was 91-8 as an amateur.

“A ring is a ring. I’m ready to fight anywhere,” said Villareal, who is dubbed as the “Baby Assassin.”