Pinoy Pride 34: Filipino boxers sweep foreign foes

King Arthur Villanueva, Mexican Victor Mendez battled for WBC international superflyweight fight.

LAPU-LAPU—“King” Arthur Villanueva bested Mexican Victor Mendez by split decision to clinch the WBC international super flyweight crown in the headliner of Pinoy Pride 34 Saturday night at Hoops Dome here.

Counting the victories of Milan Melindo, also by split decision, Kevin Jake Cataraja, AJ Banal and Rocky Fuentes, the Filipinos swept their foreign opponents in the 58-round fight card.

Villanueva won by scores of 117-111 and 116-112 as against Mendez’s 115-113.

Melindo thwarted substitute Mexican fighter Victor Emmanuel Olivo by scores of 96-94 twice. One judge had Olivo the winner by the same score.

Banal stopped Tanzanian Emilio Norfat at the 1:41 mark of the third round, while Cataraja subdued Indonesian Faris Nemggp with 2:43 gone in the fourth.

Fuentes took just two rounds to knock out Indonesian Afrizal Tamborese.