Home Columns Ruben Villa eyeing Josh Warrington: Why not fight in the UK?

Ruben Villa eyeing Josh Warrington: Why not fight in the UK?

Villa keen for Warrington and Navarette rematch

Ruben Villa is keen to fight IBF featherweight world champion, Josh Warrington Photo Credit: Mikey Williams/Top Rank/Mark Robinson/Matchroom Boxing
Ruben Villa is keen to fight IBF featherweight world champion, Josh Warrington Photo Credit: Mikey Williams/Top Rank/Mark Robinson/Matchroom Boxing

Former featherweight world title challenger, Ruben Villa is keen for a shot at IBF champion, Josh Warrington.

Warrington is set to make a first defence of the belt he reclaimed with victory over Kiko Martinez in March against mandatory challenger, Luis Alberto Lopez in Leeds on December 10, live on DAZN.

Villa (19-1, 6 KOs), who suffered a first professional loss when he was beaten on points by Emanuel Navarrete in his bid to win the WBO crown in October 2020, is hopeful of a future shot at ‘The Leeds Warrior’ and the American insists he would be willing to travel to the UK for a showdown.

“Right now we’re just working on building up again,” the 25-year-old told proboxing-fans.com.

“So that next time when I go for a world title, that s***’* coming home with me.

 

“Josh Warrington’s a good champion. Why not go to the UK and fight over there?

“Man that would be pretty bad a**.”

The Californian former standout amateur bounced back from defeat to Navarette, knocking out Horacio Garcia in the ninth round in April.

‘Drac’, who holds a top 10 ranking in the WBO behind his former rival admits he is seeking a rematch with the Mexican two-weight world champion, who has made three further defences of his belt since their bout.

Warrington defends his IBF crown against Lopez on December 10 Photo Credit: Mark Robinson/Matchroom Boxing
Warrington defends his IBF crown against Lopez on December 10 Photo Credit: Mark Robinson/Matchroom Boxing

Asked what he learnt from the fight, Villa added: “I learnt to get back up and keep going man.

“[I] got knocked down a few times for the first time in my career and I didn’t panic, I didn’t fold.

“I didn’t push the panic button and I finished pretty strong in the second half of that fight.”

Villa is keen to secure a rematch with Navarrete Photo Credit: Mikey Williams/Top Rank
Villa is keen to secure a rematch with Navarrete Photo Credit: Mikey Williams/Top Rank

“The rematch I’d finish a little stronger, but I’d start a little more cautious.

“Knowing how he comes up with that weird uppercut jab.

“So I’d kind of be more prepared for that, blocking that and kind of just getting off his mistakes.”

Watch the full interview with Ruben Villa below: