Former featherweight world title challenger Ruben ‘Drac’ Villa 18-1 (5) is looking to return to the win column when he takes on tough veteran Horacio ‘Violento’ Garcia 35-5-1 (25) of Guadalajara, Mexico at the Doubltree Hotel in Ontario, California on April 15.
The 24-year-old southpaw from Salinas, California was last in action in October 2020 when he delivered a gusty performace against WBO 126-pound champion Emanuel ‘Vaquero’ Navarrete 35-1 (29) in Las Vegas, Nevada. In that fight Villa had to rise from the canvas in rounds one and four but battled his way back into the fight only to be shaded by two points on two of the judges’ scorecards and three points on the third.
After a well earned rest, he is now determined to land another world title shot and go one better.
“I am glad to be back and I want to thank my team, Garcia Boxing, Max, Sam, Kathy as well as my father for the support, as well as my promoters Thompson Boxing and Banner Promotions for getting me back in the ring,” said Villa, a two-time US National Golden Gloves champion in the amateurs.
“My opponent is a solid guy, he is talented, but I see myself as a world champion, and just made small mistakes in my last fight that cost me a world title. The experience I’ve gained makes me an even more dangerous fighter and you will see that in this fight.
“Camp has been really intense and I’ll be in great shape. I recently opened a new form of my boxing gym in Salinas, California and the big spark came this week when NFL Pro Bowler Patrick Willis visited the gym and worked out with me. Training can be very much the same thing repeatedly and getting a surprise visit by a legend really got me inspired to finish camp strong.
“It feels good to be back at the Doubletree. I started my career on these cards and to return is a good feeling as I know the venue and the fight week stuff very well. It is like visiting an old friend if an old friend could be a building. The fans always bring good energy there and I can’t wait to bring an exciting fight to everyone in attendance.
“I want to get back into the world title picture. I see the division as fairly empty outside of the fighter I lost to and we had a close fight. I spent my whole amateur career fighting the best fighters in the world and after this fight I want to face the best fighters possible. I have a very good record and now I am going for legacy with the goal to bring a world title fight to Salinas, California.”
