Tag Archives: Marlon Olea

  Ruben Villa Wins WBO Youth Title Saturday Night in Front of Hometown Fans  

PHILADELPHIA, Penn. / ORANGE, Calif. (April 16, 2018) – Prized prospect Ruben Villa(11-0, 4 KOs) continued his upward trajectory by thoroughly dismantling Marlon Olea (13-3, 12 KOs) to win the vacant  WBO Youth Featherweight Title Saturday night from his hometown of  Salinas, Calif.

 

 

 

 

Villa, just days before his twenty-first birthday, headlined his first event and won his first title in front of a raucous home crowd. The southpaw delivered an impressive performance, winning every round on all three scorecards (80-72 x3).

 

 

 

 

“It’s exactly how I wanted to end this night,” said Villa, who is promoted by Banner Promotions and Thompson Boxing. “I blocked out the crowd and just did what I had to do. Olea moves around a lot, but I was able to land whatever I wanted.”

 

 

 

 

After a feeling out first round, Villa turned up the heat in the second. Both hands began to split Olea’s guard, which became a constant theme throughout the 8-round title fight.

 

 

 

 

As in his other fights, Villa consistently landed a seldom used punch by most boxers, a stiff jab to the midsection that neutralized the Colombian’s attack.

 

 

 

 

 

In the third round, a “Ruben” chant broke out in the Salinas Storm House, just as the former back-to-back Golden Gloves champion started to land heavy combinations. Villa, who is managed by Danny Zamora, thrilled the sold-out crowd with his aggressive punching.

 

 

 

 

“I thought Ruben had a terrific performance on Saturday,” said Artie Pelullo, president of Banner Promotions.  “It was a great night for him to perform in front of his hometown fans, and capture his 1st title.  This is the 1st of many titles in Ruben’s future, and by the way, the fans turned out for him. I see Salinas being the home of many more fights for Ruben.”

 

 

 

 

“Ruben put an exclamation point on what turned out to be a fantastic event,” said Ken Thompson, president of Thompson Boxing. “It’s the best I’ve seen him fight since he turned professional. He showed the skill and confidence of a veteran, yet he’s barely turning 21. The sky is the limit for Ruben.”

“New Blood” was presented by Banner Promotions and Thompson Boxing Promotions.
For regular updates on our fighters, events, and promotions, please check Banner Promotions Facebook Page , and follow us on Instagram and Twitter @BannerBoxing
Photos by Carlos Baeza / Thompson Boxing

RUBEN VILLA: ‘I’M PRETTY SURE ME AND SHAKUR STEVENSON WILL FIGHT AGAIN’

      
  https://www.ringtv.com/533294-ruben-villa-im-pretty-sure-shakur-stevenson-will-fight/

 

 

 

BY JOSEPH SANTOLIQUITO (RINGTV.COM)

 

 

 

The encouragement wasn’t so subtle, as Ruben Villa IV looked up from his muddy hands and knees, wiping his sweaty brow with his forearm and wondering if the day would ever end. Ruben Villa III, Villa’s father, blurted out, “Do you want to do this for the rest of your life? You better start getting serious about boxing,” or working in sweltering 90-degree heat in the fields would become a fact of life.

 

 

 

Villa, the gifted featherweight southpaw, was around 15 years old, at the time, and boxing was just something to fill the time. Though sweating in the gym certainly beat toiling for his father in the summer, lugging boxes, landscaping in what Villa describes as a “big old yard,” and making deliveries.

 

 

 

“Boxing, to me, was hard at the time and I was too immature to understand the work that you had to put into it to be successful,” said Villa, who will turn 21 next week. “I had to learn sacrifices were needed in order to be successful. Nothing was going to be handed to me. Once my father took me to work that day, I decided, no, I’d rather get paid to beat someone up.”

 

 

 

That next someone for Villa (10-0, 4 knockouts) could be Colombian Marlon Olea (13-2, 12 KOs) in Villa’s first scheduled eight-rounder, from the Salinas Storm House, in Salinas, California, on Saturday night. This is the first time Villa will be fighting at home as a pro, as the main event.

 

 

 

“When I’m sweating and working my ass off at the gym, I think back to the times I worked with my father and I’ll always remember that,” said Villa, the only boy of five children. “I’m not afraid of hard work but there are better ways to get paid. There are worse situations than boxing and boxing for a living can be a hard life too. You’re away from your family for a month and you’re sweating just as hard as when I worked for my father, who has a job in the agriculture business, doing everything from driving a forklift to making deliveries.

 

 

 

“You appreciate hard work once you see what you’re doing to keep food on the table. You get a greater appreciation when you do what they do. I used to help my father when I was in my mid-teens a couple of times. I did whatever my father told me to do. It meant doing all of the moving, boxes, wooden pallets and this yard that was always dirty. I helped my dad with deliveries and cleaning that big old yard of his. I never wanted to go back to that.”

 

It made Villa look at boxing differently.

 

 

 

“This fight with Olea is another step for me,” said Villa, whose patience belies his age. “My time will come eventually. I know that. Olea, I know, is a Colombian who is 13-2 and he has 12 knockouts, so he comes pretty heavy-handed. My sparring went well. I had some heavier guys come in and I’m ready to show what I can do.”

 

 

 

Villa is hoping his career continues on an upward trajectory, so he can one day professionally meet 2016 U.S. Olympic silver medalist Shakur Stevenson, who Villa defeated twice in 2015, as an amateur. The 5-foot-6 Villa, who started boxing when he was five to curb his overly rambunctious behavior, and Stevenson, who is 5-0, with 2 KOs as a pro, are both featherweights.

 

 

 

After Villa beat Stevenson the second time in 2015, Stevenson made the photo of the referee raising Villa’s hand the screensaver on his cell phone. Stevenson got his revenge by beating Villa twice at the Olympic Trials, in December 2015, to earn a spot on the U.S. team for the 2016 Rio Olympics.

 

 

 

“Somewhere down the line, I’m pretty sure me and Stevenson will happen again,” Villa said. “I want to see him again. Once we make a name for ourselves, it will happen. We’ll get that fight in and there is a rivalry between us. I know more people in boxing may know him more than they know me but I don’t care.

 

 

 

“I’ve always had the idea to push through with hard work. I’ll get mine eventually.”

 

 

 

Tickets for “New Blood” are priced at $75 & $125, and are available for purchase by calling 714-935-0900, or online at ThompsonBoxing.com.

 

 

 

All fights will be live streamed on TB Presents: New Blood via Thompson Boxing Facebook page and ThompsonBoxing.com.

 

 

 

The livestream starts at 6:00 p.m. PT / 9:00 p.m. ET with Beto Duran as the blow-by-blow announcer and Steve Kim providing expert color commentary.

 

 

 

Doors open at 4:30 p.m. local time with the first bout at approximately 6:00 p.m. The Salinas Storm House is located at 185 Maryal Dr. Salinas, CA 93907.

 

 

 

“New Blood” is presented by Banner Promotions and Thompson Boxing Promotions.

 

 

 

For regular updates on our fighters, events, and promotions, please check Banner Promotions Facebook Page , and follow us on Instagram and Twitter @BannerBoxing

 

 

 

Photo Credit Emily Harney / Banner Promotions

Ruben Villa Eyes First Title Saturday Night from Salinas, CA

Photo Credit Carlos Baeza / Thompson Boxing Promotions

PHILADELPHIA, Penn. /ORANGE, Calif. (April 11, 2018) – Top featherweight prospect Ruben Villa (10-0, 4 KOs)looks to add the first championship of his young career when he battles Colombian Marlon Olea (13-2, 12 KOs) for the vacant WBO Youth Title this Saturday night from the Salinas Storm House in Salinas, Calif.

 

 

 

 

Villa, who turns 21 next week, will be fighting in his hometown for the first time as a professional.

 

 

 

 

“There’s a lot of firsts for this fight,” Villa said. “It’s a great feeling to fight for a title and to do it in my home city with me as the headliner [also a first], it’s a dream come true. These are the types of fights I’ve been working toward ever since I was little.”

 

 

 

 

The southpaw with fast hands and high IQ split his training camp from the arid climate of Riverside, Calif., to the coastal weather of Salinas. Villa faced a variety of sparring partners to prepare for the quick hitting style that Olea will bring on Saturday night.

 

 

 

 

“The key to any training camp is to get tested against quality fighters,” said Villa, who is promoted by Banner Promotions and Thompson Boxing. “I went against boxers that were real slick with their movements, and others that came forward and threw a lot of punches. I feel confident in what I want to do against Olea.”

 

 

 

 

In addition to making his first headlining appearance on “New Blood,” Villa also fights for the first time at 8-rounds. He is coming off three straight 6-round unanimous decision victories. Until recently, Villa had won every round on every scorecard in his six decision wins with the exception of dropping one round on one scoresheet against Juan Sandoval in February.

 

 

 

 

Olea, for what it’s worth, holds a unanimous decision loss to WBA world champion Danny Roman from November of 2016. That matchup was contested at 122-pounds, while Saturday night’s fight is set for 126-pounds. Villa would appear to have the size advantage, as he is a natural featherweight with room to fill out as he gets older.

 

 

 

 

“In this sport, you take any advantage you can get,” Villa remarked. “He’s still a talented guy so I can’t get over confident on that.”

 

 

 

 

Tickets for “New Blood” are priced at $75 & $125, and are available for purchase by calling 714-935-0900, or online at ThompsonBoxing.com.

 

 

 

 

All fights will be live streamed on TB Presents: New Blood via Thompson Boxing Facebook page and ThompsonBoxing.com.

 

 

 

 

The livestream starts at 6:00 p.m. PT / 9:00 p.m. ET with Beto Duran as the blow-by-blow announcer and Steve Kim providing expert color commentary.

 

 

 

 

Doors open at 4:30 p.m. local time with the first bout at approximately 6:00 p.m. The Salinas Storm House is located at 185 Maryal Dr. Salinas, CA 93907.

 

 

 

 

“New Blood” is presented by Banner Promotions and Thompson Boxing Promotions.

 

 

 

 

For regular updates on our fighters, events, and promotions, please check Banner Promotions Facebook Page , and follow us on Instagram and Twitter @BannerBoxing

Undefeated Ruben Villa Makes Homecoming Debut in Salinas, California on Saturday April 14th

 

PHILADELPHIA, PENN./ORANGE, Calif. (March 23, 2018)–Heralded featherweight prospect Ruben Villa returns home for the 1st time as a professional as he headlines in the Northern California city of Salinas on Saturday, April 14, from the popular Salinas Storm House.
The show is promoted by Banner Promotions and Thompson Boxing.
“Ruben has been coming along great, and on April 14th, he will thrill his hometown fans,” said Banner Promotions President, Arthur Pelullo.  “We are looking forward to this special night for Ruben, for him not only to put on a great performance in his hometown, but to capture his first championship.”
“This show has been in the works for more than a year,” said Alex Camponovo, who as Matchmaker and General Manager of Thompson Boxing. “It’s an excellent show from top-to-bottom featuring talent from all over the Bay Area and surrounding parts. You have Ruben looking to win his first professional title [WBO Youth] in his hometown.”

Villa, 20, will be locked in a battle with fellow prospect Marlon Olea (13-2, 12 KOs) of Colombia in the 8-round “New Blood” main event where the WBO Youth Featherweight Title is up for grabs. Villa, a southpaw, is currently in Riverside, Calif. with trainer Max Garcia preparing for his main event debut.

“I’m excited to headline my first event,” said Villa, who is co-promoted by Banner Promotions and Thompson Boxing. “I’ve been preparing for this my whole life. It came fast. There’s a lot to be happy about. It’s a title fight, and it will be in front of my hometown fans.”

Villa will certainly receive a challenge from Olea. He holds a unanimous decision loss against WBA World Champion Danny Roman and is known as a pressure fighter with excellent instincts.

“He’s a mover, and he’s quick with his hands,” Villa said. “I’ll be ready for him. We are getting a little bit of everything in this training camp. I’m sparring guys that like to box and guys that are coming in and pressuring.”

New to Villa for this fight has been the abundance of ticket requests from local boxing fans. The former two-time Golden Gloves Champion has already sold 400 tickets, yet the requests keep pouring in.

“To be honest, I’m not sure how it’s going to feel to fight in my hometown,” Villa said. “I tend to tune out all the white noise and just box. I’m sure there will be some moments when I recognize the crowd. I have to enjoy it, but keep my poise.”

Tickets for “New Blood” are priced at $40, $75, & $125, and are available for purchase by calling 714-935-0900, or online at ThompsonBoxing.com.

Doors open at 4:30 p.m. local time with the first bout at approximately 6:00 p.m. The Salinas Storm House is located at 185 Maryal Dr. Salinas, CA 93907.

All fights will be live streamed on TB Presents: New Blood via Thompson Boxing Facebook page and ThompsonBoxing.com.

The livestream starts at 6:00 p.m. PT / 9:00 p.m. ET with Beto Duran as the blow-by-blow announcer and Steve Kim providing expert color commentary.

For regular updates on our fighters, events, and promotions, please like Banner Promotions Facebook Page, and follow us on Instagram and Twitter @BannerBoxing .

TOP CRUISERWEIGHT PROSPECT FABIO TURCHI MAKES UNITED STATES DEBUT THIS FRIDAY NIGHT

 
LIVE ON CBS SPORTS NETWORK
Providence, Rhode Island (November 29, 2017) This Friday night, December 1, top cruiserweight prospect FABIO “Stone Crusher” TURCHI, (12-0, 9 KO’s), of Florence, Italy makes his highly anticipated U.S. debut against Detroit, MI veteran DEMETRIUS BANKS, (9-3, 4 KO’s) from The Strand Ballroom and Theatre in Providence, Rhode Island and telecast live on CBS Sports Network (9:00 p.m. ET/6:00 p.m. PT).
Turchi vs. Banks, scheduled for eight rounds, is part of an eight-bout action packed card presented by Boxing Legend Evander Holyfield’s The Real Deal Boxing.
Tickets for ‘Real Deal Championship Boxing V’ starting at $45 are can be purchased through www.TheRealDealBoxing.com and www.thestrandri.com.
The Strand Ballroom and Theatre is located at 79 Washington Street, Providence, RI, 02903. Doors will open on the evening of the event at 6:00 p.m. ET with the first bell at7:00 p.m. ET.
“I’m thrilled to be fighting in the United States,” said the 24-year-old Turchi. “Since I turned professional two years ago I’ve wanted to come here and fight.”
“When I arrived here on Sunday night for the first time I felt very good right away. I’ve met a lot of Italian-Americans here in Providence and they’ve been very cordial to me which is galvanizing me to a great performance on Friday night.
“I consider myself an intelligent fighter with power. I can box to a decision but if the opportunity comes along during the fight for a knockout I’ll take advantage of it,” continued Turchi known in Italy for his show-stopping knockouts.
“I don’t know much about Demetrius Banks but I’m very well prepared for anything in the ring.
“Since I was a kid, being Italian, my favorite fighter was Rocky Marciano. It’s an honor to be fighting so close to his hometown of Brockton, Massachusetts on Friday night.”
“Evander was a great world champion in both the cruiserweight and heavyweight divisions. I will do my best to make him proud of me on Friday night.”
Said Holyfield, “Just being around Fabio these last few days you can see how serious he takes his career. I’m excited for boxing fans in Providence and those watching on CBS Sports Network to have the opportunity to see him fight.”
In the televised main event on Friday night, TOKA KAHN-CLARY, (23-1, 16 KO’s), of Providence, Rhode Island defends his WBC-USNBC Featherweight Title against undefeated Philippines’ based contender JOHN VINCENT MORALDE, (19-0, 10 KO’s) in the 10-
Opening the telecast in a six-round featherweight clash, popular, undefeated Worcester, MA native IRVIN GONZALEZ, (7-0-0, 6 KO’s) battles MARLON OLEA, (13-1-0, 12 KO’s), of Barranquilla, Colombia.
Real Deal Sports & Entertainment is proud to partner with The Strand Ballroom and Theatre, Medical Arts Radiology (www.medicalartsradiology.com) and Venum (www.venum.com).
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PHOTOS, QUOTES — TOKA KAHN-CLARY PROVIDENCE PRESS CONFERENCE!

TICKETS ON SALE!!

(L-R) – Fabio Turchi, Evander Holyfield, Toka Kahn-Clary, Sal Musumeci, CEO of The Real Deal Boxing, and Nick DeLomba
PROVIDENCE, RI (November 30, 2017) – Hall-of-Famer Evander Holyfield hosted the final press conference for this Friday night’s ‘Real Deal Championship Boxing V’ card, presented byhis The Real Deal Boxing, the promotional entity under his Real Deal Sports and Entertainment, this afternoon at Ladder 133 Sports Bar & Grill in Smith Hill, Rhode Island.
 
An exciting tripleheader, arguably the best top-to-bottom card in recent Rhode Island boxing history, willair on CBS Sports Network, starting at 9 p.m. ET,live from The Strand Ballroom and Theater in Providence, RI. The entire undercard will be live-streamed, starting at 7 p.m. ET, online at www.TheRealDealBoxing.com.
Providence featherweight Toka “T-Nice” Kahn-Clary (23-1, 16 KOs) headlines against undefeated Filipino invader John Vincent Moralde (19-0, 10 KOs) in the 10-round main event for the vacant WBC USNBC featherweight title.
Tickets starting at $45 are On Sale and can be purchased throughwww.TheRealDealBoxing.com and www.thestrandri.com.
The Strand Ballroom and Theater is located at 79 Washington Street, Providence, RI, 02903. Doors will open on the evening of the event at 6:00 p.m. ET, first bell at 7:00 p.m. ET, and live broadcasting starts at 9 p.m. ET on CBS Sports Network.
MAIN EVENT – VACANT WBC USNBC FEATHERWEIGHT CHAMPIONSHIP (10) – CBSSN
Toka “T-Nice” Kahn-Clary (23-1, 15 KOs), Providence, RI by way of Liberia
vs.
John Vincent Moralde (19-0, 10 KOs), General Santos, Philippines
CO-FEATURE – CRUISERWEIGHTS (8) – CBSSN
Fabio “Stone Crusher” Turchi (12-0, 9 KOs), Florence, Italy
vs.
Demetrius Banks (9-3, 4 KOs), Detroit, MI
FEATHERWEIGHTS (6) – CBSSN
Irvin Gonzalez (7-0, 6 KOs), Worcester, MA
vs.
Marlon Olea (13-1, 12 KOs), Baranquilla, Colombia
JUNIOR WELTERWEIGHTS (8)
Nick DeLomba (11-2, 2 KOs), Cranston, RI
vs.
Louis Cruz (12=3, 6 KOs), Bronx, NY
JUNIOR LIGHTWEIGHTS (4)
Timmy Ramos (4-0-1, 4 KOs), Framingham, MA
vs.
Phil Davis (1-1), Worcester, MA
WELTERWEIGHTS (4)
Poindexter Knight (pro debut), Philadelphia, PA
vs.
Samuel Forjoe (0-1), Bronx, NY
CRUISERWEIGHTS (4)
Bryan Daniels (5-1, 3 KOs), Worcester, MA
vs.
Darnell “The Unknown” Pierce (5-1, 1 KO), Frederick, MD
JUNIOR MIDDLEWEIGHTS (6)
Jeremy “J-Flash” Nichols (7-1-1, 2 KOs), Las Vegas, NV
vs.
Daniel “The Hudson Valley Kid” Sostre (13-15-1, 5 KOs), Vega Maja, Puerto Rico
(all fights & fighters subject to change)
PRESSER QUOTES
Sal Musumeci, CEO of The Real Deal Boxing: “We’re honored to be here in Rhode Island. So many champs come through here and we’re here for that reason and its great boxing fans. I’ve been promoting 20 years with more than 400 shows worldwide. I know where we want to go to places with people who appreciate boxing.”
“Evander and I got together to put together The Real Deal Boxing because we want the same shows, two warriors in the ring, and that’s what you’re going to see Friday night at The Stand. Thanks for accepting is here. Toka is a great inspiration. When I first heard his story, my COO (Eric Bentley) sad we need to sign him. He’s in a tough fight. Toka accepted the challenge because he believes he’ll be world champion.”
“Turchi is an undefeated cruiserweight who will grow into a heavyweight. An Italian heavyweight like the great Rocky Marciano who fought in providence so many times.”
“I guarantee on Friday night you’ll see the most competitive fights in Providence in many years.”
Evander Holyfield: “I’m honored to be here. A big part of me being a promoter is how can I help boxing? I started at eight, when I was told I’d be like Ali. I believed that, but I had to ask my mother (permission to box). I was a four-time heavyweight world champion, but I also had my ups and downs. I tell them (my fighters), if they listen and ask me for advice, I will tell them. The problems today with millennials is that there’s really nobody to tell them. Just ask me, I tell them.”
“I bring a lot to boxing, but I won’t say I will make my fighters champions. I will give them an opportunity to be champion. I had opportunities and never quit. If you set goals and you don’t quit, you’ll reach that goal. Correct your mistakes and don’t quit. These fighters need to believe in me but, more importantly, they need to believe in themselves. I can give them advice because I’ve done it. I’m on their side.”
Toka Kahn-Clary: “I want to thank Evander, Sal and everybody on my team for having me fight in my state. I also want to thank my manger, trainer and Dan Crotty. I’m happy to be here. Boxing isn’t easy, but it is the path I’ve chosen. I’m fighting here on national television, representing my city and state.”
“I’m going to put on a show December 1st. It’s not going to be easy but I’m going in the ring to give it my all. I can’t wait to fight!”
 
Seth DeRobbio, manager of Toka Kahn-Clary, Irvin Gonzalez, Nick DeLomba & Timmy Ramos:
“I want to thank Sal and Evander for giving Providence good fights. This is a great opportunity for Toka, who is fighting a 19-0 opponent, setting up a 2018 to be a big year for him. Hopefully, we’ll be bringing something very big to Providence, too. You won’t know who is going to win Friday night until the fights are over.”
Peter Manfredo, Sr., head trainer for Kahn-Clary: “I’d like to thank Evander, Seth, the whole crew (The Real Deal Boxing). When Seth mentioned signing Toka with Evander, I soon learned that they take care of their fighters, no BS. Listen to them and you’ll make it to the top.
“Toka Kahn-Clary is the best fighter I’ve ever had, I’ve had a lot of good ones. Toka is always in condition, he works hard and has an iron chin. He wants to be a legend and I’m going to do everything to help him.”
Fabio Turchi: “I’m really happy to be here. I want to thank Real Deal Boxing for having faith in me. I will try to do my best to put on a great show. The people here mean a lot to me and I want to make the Italian-Americans here in Providence proud of me.”
Nick DeLomba: I want to thank Evander for putting me on this card. I grew up watching his fights on video; he is my idol and I’m honored to be fighting on his card. I come to fight. My opponent is a tough fighter who’ll bring his best.”
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Real Deal Sports & Entertainment is proud to partner with Medical Arts Radiology (www.medicalartsradiology.com) and Venum (www.venum.com).
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