Villanueva‘s promoter ALA Promotions has granted Jimenez camp’s request for immediate rematch following Villanueva’s controversial win against Jimenez. The rematch will take place at the StubHub Center in Carson California this Saturday night (Sunday Manila time).
Jimenez’s camp claimed that the fourth round knockout ruling by the referee was flawed because it was caused by accidental headbutts and not by legitimate punch.
In the opening round, the two had the usual feeling out jabs and light punches but late in the round, Jimenez landed a big right to the face and body. Villanueva responded with a big left to the head seconds before the end of the round.
In the second round Jimenez fired a couple of heavy punches in the middle of the round with a big right hook landing on Villanueva’s face, sending him down the canvas briefly but survived the count to finish the round.
It was Villanueva’s turn to score a knockdown in the third round after he caught Jimenez with a big left and later a huge right hook that sent Jimenez down momentarily but managed to rise and survived the round.
Villanueva came as the aggressor in the fourth round scoring left and right combos to the face and body but late in the round they both figured in a massive head collision that sent Jimenez down for the count.
In this Saturday’s rematch, Villanueva vows to erase doubts about his controversial win over Jimenez in their first encounter.
“I want to prove them I deserve the title and the win. This time, there’ll be no questions. I’ll win again,” said Villanueva (29-1-0, 15 KOs).
The Villanueva-Jimenez fight is part of ALA Promotions’ “Pinoy Pride” series which is now holding its third event in California since its US debut last year.
The ALA weekend card which is presented in collaboration with ABS-CBN and TFC features Donnie Nietes vs. Edgar Soto in the main event with Mark Magsayo vs. Ruben Robles and Arthur Villanueva vs. Juan Jimenez in the supporting events.
