THREE-TIME world title challenger Arthur Villanueva returns to the ring in a six-round activity fight against Thai Chatre Buakaewdee Thursday, June 29, 2023 at the Spaceplus Bangkok RCA in Bangkok, Thailand.
The 34-year-old Villanueva is on a comeback trail and hopes to earn another shot at a world title. He retired from boxing in 2019 but came out of retirement in 2021. In his return, he beat Bryan Tamayo by unanimous decision in Mandaue City. Villanueva followed up that win with a ninth round knockout of Jakpan Sangtong in Pakistan last year.
Villanueva is currently ranked No. 19 by World Boxing Council (WBC) as a bantamweight.
Villanueva, a former ALA Boy, first fought for a world title in 2015 against McJoe Arroyo for the vacant International Boxing Federation super flyweight strap. He lost to Arroyo by technical decision in Texas.
Villanueva’s second try was in 2017 against Zolani Tete for the vacant interim World Boxing Organization (WBO) bantamweight title in England. He bowed down to Tete by a lopsided unanimous decision.
Villanueva’s third attempt was in 2019, wherein he was stopped by then WBC bantamweight title holder Nordine Oubaali in the sixth round in Kazakhstan.
On the other hand, little is known about Villanueva’s Thai opponent, Buakaewdee. He just recently turned pro this year at 36 years old. Buakaewdee stopped his opponent Thongchai Phueakklom in the first round.
Villanueva is 34-4-1 with 19 knockouts, while Buakaewdee is 1-0 with a knockout.
Two other Pinoy pugs are seen in the same card: Ador Torres and Jopher Montano.
Torres (8-4-1, 5 KOs) is defending his Asian Boxing Federation welterweight belt against Thai prospect Sakda Langkabam (4-1, 4 KOs).
Montano (15-5-2, 13 KOs), in the meantime, is also defending his WBO Oriental welterweight strap against Pakistani Muhammad Bilal (11-3-1, 9 KOs). (EKA)