Fuentes defends OPBF title Dec. 18

OPBF flyweight champion Rocky Fuentes of Mambaling, Cebu City will defend his title on Dec. 18, 2012 against Yuki Nasu of Japan at the Korakuen Hall in Tokyo, Japan.

The world ranked Fuentes (34W-6L-2D, 20 KOs) has reigned as the Oriental and Pacific Boxing Federation (OPBF) champion in the 112 lb division since March 9, 2010 when he beat Japanese Masafumi Okubo by majority decision in a fight also held in Tokyo. He has since defended his belt thrice on Japanese soil solidifying his reputation as a tested “road warrior.”

The 26-year-old Fuentes had a successful defense here in Cebu last September by beating Myung Ho Lee by unanimous decision at the Waterfront Hotel.

The 30-year-old Nasu (26W-6L, 16 KOs) lost to Fuentes by split decision way back in 2006 in a fight held in Osaka. This will be his first attempt at a regional title. Nasu is ranked No. 9 by the OPBF. ALA Promotions has confirmed the match-up by e-mail.

VILLANUEVA EYES

OPBF BELT

One day after the Fuentes vs Nasu fight, on December 19, Arthur Villanueva of Bacolod City will vie for the vacant OPBF superflyweight title against Taiki Eto (10W-1L, 7 KOs) of Japan.

The unbeaten Villanueva (20W-0L, 12 KOs) is a former Philippine flyweight champion. In his last fight, he beat the experienced Thai Pramunsak Posuwan by unanimous decision at the Waterfront Hotel last September.

Villanueva used to fight with the moniker “El Matador” but in his recent fights he has been billed as “King” Arthur.

This will be the first attempt at the regional title for both Eto and Villanueva. /Correspondent Rene Bonsubre Jr