By Ronnie Nathanielsz
Undefeated IBF International and Oriental Pacific Boxing Federation super flyweight champion “King” Arthur Villanueva is training hard for his title fight against unbeaten Puerto Rican southpaw McJoe Arroyo scheduled for July 18 at the Don Haskins Convention Center in El Paso, Texas.
Trainer Edmund Villamor who was named “Trainer of the Year” three years in a row at the “Flash” Elorde Annual Awards told the New Standard/BoxingScene.com “we are preparing three or four southpaw sparring partners for “King” Arthur who is “determined and wants to be a world champion.”
ALA Gym head trainer Edito “Ala” Villamor told us that Villanueva is coming along fine and has sparred twice over ten rounds against southpaws, since Arroyo is a lefty and he needs to get used to fighting southpaws.
One of the sparring partners is Joy Joy Formetera, a 21 year old southpaw from Cebu City who has a solid record of 6-1 with 4 knockouts, all in his last four bouts with a 2nd round knockout over Allan Doronilla in his last bout on June 7 .
Formetera’s only loss was in his pro debut against Rolando Servania who was also making his debut in a four round bout on January 20, 2013.
He said they are also recruiting an amateur from Bohol who is a southpaw to help enhance Villanueva’s hand-speed, reflexes and movement while well known American strength and conditioning coach Nick Curson is working with Villanueva to get him into the best physical shape for the tough test against the 29 year old Arroyo who has an unblemished record of 16-0 with 8 knockouts.
Arroyo earned the title shot when he scored a lopsided win against Filipino Mark Anthony Geraldo in an eliminator in Puerto Rico on December 30, 2014.
He also scored an impressive 11th round knockout of former world flyweight champion Hernan “Tyson” Marquez on June 14, 2014 in Mexico after capturing the vacant WBA Latino title with a 4th round TKO victory over Felipe Rivas on February 2, 2013.