FORMER world bantamweight title challenger "King" Arthur Villanueva of Bago City has officially signed a five-year deal with London-based Slovenian boxing manager Hinko Kostanjevec.
This after Villanueva’s former promoter ALA Boxing Promotions recently closed down due to the pandemic.
The 31-year-old slugger has an impressive standing record of 32 wins, four defeats and a draw with 18 knockouts. He last fought in July of 2019 for the World Boxing Council World Bantam Title against undefeated French champion Nordine Oubaali in Barys Arena, Nur-Sultan (Astana), Kazakhstan.
Villanueva has fought several world championship fights like the interim World Boxing Organisation World Bantamweight Title in 2017 but lost to South African Zolani Tete.
In 2016, Villanueva captured the World Boxing Organisation Asia Pacific Bantamweight Title against Mexican Juan Jimenez in Bacolod City. And, four months later, he defended his belt in a rematch with Jimenez in StubHub Center, Carson, California.
He also won the World Boxing Council International Super Flyweight Title in 2015 against Mexican Victor Mendez in Cebu and International Boxing Federation International Super Flyweight Title in 2014 against Nicaraguan Henry Maldonado in Dubai.
On signing with the new manager, Villanueva said he is expected to earn three fights a year.
“As agreed, I will be flying and training in Slovenia when things are already good. I think this will be a great chance for me to get bigger fights,” Villanueva said.
“Right now, I have returned training with former WBO minimumweight champion and fellow Negrense Jun-Jun ‘Tiger’ Sabillo,” he added.