FROM teammates to adversaries, Allan Villanueva will put his friendship with former sparring partner Carlo Bacaro aside as they trade leathers in the ring on March 27, 2021 in Omega Boxing Sports International’s (OPSI) upcoming “bubble” boxing show.

“It will be a brawl,” said Big Yellow Boxing Gym’s head trainer Christopher “Ping-Ping” Tepora. “I assure you that will be a good fight. Allan is ready.”

Villanueva and Bacaro were once teammates at the Omega Boxing Gym, and they were constant sparring partners.

The 24-year-old Villanueva parted ways with the Omega Boxing Gym and followed his coach Tepora, the former head coach of the Omega Boxing Gym, to the Big Yellow Boxing Gym.

“Yes, they are sparring partners. They would go all out in sparring. That’s why I could say that it should be a slugfest,” said Tepora.

Tepora knows Bacaro all so well because he was the one who developed him at the Omega Boxing Gym.

“I think Allan has an advantage with his length and experience,” said Tepora.

Villanueva, who has been sparring with another former Omega boxer in Kenny Demecillo, last saw action in 2018. He stopped Rege Pahayag in four rounds in Iligan City.

The 21-year-old Bacaro, on the other hand, fought twice in 2020 despite the Covid-19 pandemic. He fought in both “bubble” boxing shows by OPSI. He stopped Jeffrey Stella in the fourth round on Oct. 7, 2020 and then followed it up with a third round technical knockout of Ryan Maano.

Villanueva should be his stiffest test.

“This will be a good fight. It will be competitive,” said Omega Boxing Gym head coach Jinggoy Junco.

Villanueva is 11-0 with eight knockouts, while Bacaro is 7-0 with six knockouts.

Another Big Yellow Boxing Gym boxer, Reycar Auxilio, is up against Benny Cañete (1-0, 1 KO), who trains at the Omega Boxing Gym. (EKA)