CEBU, Philippines - WBO International junior bantamweight champion ‘King’ Arthur Villanueva (23-0, 13KOs) will take on a new opponent in Mexican Fernando ‘Enano’ Aguilar (9-6, 1KO) in the ‘Pinoy Pride XXIV: The Future is Now’ fight card this Saturday at the Solaire Resort and Casino in Parañaque City.
Villanueva was originally set to face rising Mexican star Juan Hernandez (23-1, 16KOs), but the latter couldn't make as he suffered serious injuries after a motorcycle accident in his hometown.
Though he's going up against last-minute replacement, Villanueva is not taking things lightly.
“We cannot take this guy (Aguilar) lightly because even if he is a last minute replacement, he still poses threat to Villanueva,†said ALA Promotions Vice President Dennis Cañete.
The slambang show is headlined by Genesis ‘Azucal’ Servania (23-0, 9KOs), who will slug it out with former Venezuelan world champion Alexander ‘El Explosivo’ Munoz (36-5, 28KOs) in a 12-round rumble for the WBO Intercontinental junior featherweight title.
In the other feature, super bantamweight prospect ‘Prince’ Albert Pagara (18-0, 12KOs) will mix it up with Isack Junior (22-4, 8KOs) of Indonesia.
Meanwhile, the main protagonists of the Pinoy Pride XXIV will meet for the first time in the final press conference of the event this Thursday at Solaire. (FREEMAN)