BAGO City's “King” Arthur Villanueva got another chance for a world championship fight this April 8 at Manchester Arena in England when he faces former IBF junior bantamweight champion Zolani Tete (24-3, 20 knockouts) of Africa.
The winner of this face-off will be the mandatory challenger to Filipino World Boxing Organization bantamweight champion Marlon Tapales.
The 28-year-old Villanueva, who suffered a heartbreaking technical decision loss to McJoe Arroyo for the vacant IBF junior bantamweight title two years ago, is ready to accept another challenge in his career.
Villanueva said this fight against the African is quite difficult since the latter is a world champion.
“He’s good, strong and a tough opponent,” he added. “Although I only saw few highlights of his fights, his style might change during actual fight.”
The Negrense pride admitted that he still feels anxious fighting in a foreign land as it’s hard to win abroad, but he is confident with how his preparation progresses.
“The world championship is my motivation against Tete,” he added.
Villanueva’s team will leave for Manchester a week before the fight. (HGD)