Ben Villaflor

[Rover]

I checked up on a posibility of a Villaflor vs. Echegaray II 'rematch'

A) Larry Inchonise would not allow his teenager fighter to leave Hawaii.
B) Victor Echegaray would not fight in Hawaii again.
C) A rematch was offered to the Argentinian for January 1973, but he opted out, saying no to Hawaii.

Wasn't he a mandatory? What about a purse bid?

[Rover]

Yes,

Victor Echegaray was positioned as the #1 WBA Challenger during the Alfredo Marcano vs. Ben Villaflor bout
on April 29, 1972.

But, according to the WBA - Villaflor had 6-Months before facing the next available 'Mandatory Challenger'
(March 5, 1973).

The 'Draw' did not give Victory Echegaray an 'automatic' immediate rematch, he had to wait for the
Champion's '6-Month Optional Defense' period to run out.

Ah, and Shibata came along. Got it.

[Rover]

Kuniaki Shibata,,,,,,,

An exciting 5' 4" 'Firecracker' who usually exploded with power.

I believe he was only ranked as the #8 WBA Challenger when he 'upset'
Ben Villaflor.

Gets 'bad rap' for some of his shocking knockout losses, but what a fighter.

No shame in losses to Villaflor or Escalera, though Clemente Sanchez was a huge upset.

[Rover]

Tuesday Night - November 14, 1972

Blaisell Center- Honolulu, Hawaii

'Non-Title' Bout at Lightweight

* WBA Super Featherweight Champion
* Ben Villaflor (Hawaii) ~ 46-4-3 (24 KO's) ~ Age; 19 years, 11 months ~ Height 5' 6" ~ Weight 131 1/2 lbs.
vs.
* #7 WBA Lightweight / #12 WBC Light Welterweight
* 'Irish' Jimmy Robertson (California) ~ 26-4-1 (13 KO's) ~ Age; 26 years, 6 months ~ Height 5' 9" ~ Weight 133 1/4 lbs.

WBA Champion - Ben Villaflor (still a teenager) takes on 'tough' Californian Lightweight, 'Irish' Jimmy Robertson in
a Lightweight bout.

Manager - Larry Inchonise wants to keep the 'Wunderkind' busy, to stay sharp for a possible upcoming Title Defense
in early-1973. He doesn't pick any easy opponent for his young southpaw Champion.

Jimmy Robertson is a tough 'in-your-face' banger, and at nearly 5' 9" will have a 3" reach advantage over Villaflor.
'Irish' likes to swarm over his opponents, and will brawl away which is to his liking. And Jimmy will have a clear size
advantage over Villaflor, as Robertson is a big Lightweight.

A 'House Fighter' at the Olympic Auditorium, Jimmy has been in the ring with the best 'West Coast Lightweights', and
is so highly-regarded, that he is ranked as Light Welterweight by Ring Magazine (#7 in 1971) - (#5 in 1972)

Manager - Gordon Shaw likes his fighter's chance here, and states that, 'My guy is too strong for this little Hawaiian.
Jimmy will wear him down with constant pressure, smother him with his strength, and then pound his body with sweeping hooks.'

The Fight;

Jimmy Robertson soon found out, that the young Hawaiian was indeed 'sensational'. Immediately, Villaflor cracked
the Californian with a big let hook that hurt Robertson.

Villaflor continued with hard left hands, and in Round 3 he scored with a wicked left hand to Robertson's face that
drew blood from the nose. And again in Round 4, Villaflor landed a right-left that buckled Robertson's legs and
drove him half-way across the ring. In Round 5, Villaflor litterally chased Jimmy with wild left hooks after shaking
him earlier.

Both fighters stayed close together in Round 6, and an 'accidental-butt' by Villaflor opened a cut on the edge of Roberton's
right eye. With the fight well in hand, Villaflor was advised by his corner to use his speed and boxing skills to cruise
in Rounds 7 thru 10.

Scorecards
Referee - Walter Minn............50-44 (6-0-4 in Rounds) Ben Villaflor
Judge - Walter Cho................50-45 (5-0-5 in Rounds) Ben Villaflor
Judge - ?????........................50-45 (5-0-5 in Rounds) Ben Villaflor

Note: Despite the 'loss', Jimmy Robertson qualified as a WBA Lightweight, and challenged Roberto Duran for
his Lightweight Championship on January 20, 1973. (Result a loss by KO 5).

[Rover]

Getting the feeling here, that Ben would be too strong for Rocky Lockridge.

Don't think that he would have stopped him, but he would have lumped him up
with those left hand smashes.

Rocky would find out quickly, that the Filipino from Hawaii would be too strong.
If Ben backs up Rocky (which I think he could do without a problem) it would
be a rough night in Honolulu for Rocky.

What if it weren't in Hawaii? I've already said I think Villaflor would win a close decision with a late charge. If Echegaray hurt Villaflor, Lockridge could also, so I think there would be mutual respect earned in the fight.

[Rover]

True with Echegaray,,,,,,but Ben was only 19 1/2 and still learning.

Echegaray was no easy guy to fight, as he was tall and strong (Argentinian with Monzon style)

But didn't Juan LaPorte 'cold-cock' Rocky...........

Ben Villaflor...........mucho strong...

Still evaluating..

Yes, and Laporte could punch quite hard. The same logic could have been used to justify a Mayweather, Chavez or Lopez KO over Lockridge. I think this fight would go the distance.

[Rover]

'More on Villaflor'

Tuesday Night - January 13, 1973 (Blaisdell Center - Honolulu, Hawaii)

Ben Villaflor ~ 47-4-3 (24 KO's)
vs
Juan 'Rojo' Collado ~ 28-16-1 (7 KO's)

'Non-Title' Lightweight Bout

The first bout for the 'non-teenager' Ben Villaflor who is now 20 years of age.

Don Fraser of The Forum (California) sends one of his 'always-ready' and competitive Lightweight
fighters, Juan 'Rojo' Collado, a fighter from the Dominican Republic who is based out of California.

The 23 year-old Collado, a 5' 7" 'banger-brawler' does not have a big punch, but throws 'punches-in-bunches'
and is a crowd favorite back in California. Dont' be misled by Collado's record, as he is the California
State Lightweight Champion, and has tangled with the best of the 'West Coast Lightweights and a few
other highly-regarded Lightweight's including;
Rodolfo Gonzalez (2x), Leo DiFiore, Ruben Navarro, Shinchi Kadota (2x), Jimmy Robertson, Eddie Mazon,
Antonio Gomez, Leonico Ortiz, Raul Montoya, Jesus Alonso, Felipe Torres and Jimmy Heair.

Manager - Lupe Sanchez said, 'My fighter will really test this kid (WBA Super Featherweight Champion)
to see if can compete on the West Coast where the real fighters are. Larry Inchonise saw Juan fight
Flash Gallego here in November, and he knows my guy will be banging away for the entire fight. This should
be a good bout.'

Ben Villaflor (132 1/2 lbs.) slammed Juan 'Rojo' Collado (132 lbs.) to the canvas in the 1st-Round with a hard
left-hook, then cruised to an easy 10-Round Unanimous Decision over the durable California State Lightweight
Champion.

The southpaw Hawaiian repeatedly bounced hard left hands off the head of the durable Juan Collado, and had the
Dominican reeling several times thoughout the bout. In Rounds 7 and 8, it appeared that Referee - Walter Minn
was going to stop the bout, but he allowed the one-sided contest to continue when Collado pleaded his case that
he wanted to go on. Villaflor, seeing a hurt opponent in front him, backed off and boxed during the last '2-Rounds'.

Scorecards;
* Referee - Walter Minn.........49-40
* Judge - Walter Cho.............49-41
* Judge ?????.......................50-41

Compassion for the opponent, it appears.

[Rover]

Monday Night - March 12, 1973 (Blaisdell Center - Honolulu, Hawaii)

WBA Super Featherweight Championship

** Ben Villaflor (Hawaii) ~ 48-4-3 (24 KO's) ~ Age; 20 years, 4 months ~ Height 5' 6" ~ Weight 129 1/4 lbs.
vs.
#8 WBA Kuniaki Shibata (Japan) ~ 37-4-3 (23 KO's) ~ 25 years, 11 months ~ Height 5' 4" ~ Weight 130 lbs.

Associated Press;
"Sluggers Duel Set For The International Center"

Hawaiian sensation 20 year-old Ben Villaflor, the hard-punching southpaw from the Philippines will make his
'first' Title defense against former WBC Featherweight Champion, 'The Master from Japan' Kuniaki Shibata.

The 25+ year-old former Champion won the WBC Featherweight Title in December 1970, but lost in a shocking
upset to #7 WBC-ranked Clemente Sanchez of Mexico in May 1972 by (L KO 3). Manager - Kenji Yonekura
predicts that his fighter will recapture his 'ring mastery' that was lost last year, and surprise the boxing pundits
who have made the young Villaflor a 5-3 Betting-favorite. Trainer - Stanley Ito of Hawaii has said he has a well
laid out fight-plan for Kuniaki who has never lost to a southpaw - as he has won all '6-Bouts' that he has
been involved in when facing a lefty fighter.

The Fight;

Ben Villaflor came out looking for a quick knockout, and loaded up for a 'one-punch' left hook. But Kuniaki was quick
on hs feet, and avoided any in-close exchanges and was not willing to trade with the powerful Hawaiian.

Shibata's 'wait-and-counter' strategy worked well in Rounds 4 and 5, as Villaflor was unable to land a clean hard
punch on the 5' 4" Shibata, despite having a 2" Reach advanatage.

In Round 6, Villaflor was finally able to trap Shibata, and he landed a 'booming' left-hand to the jaw that wobbled
the Japanese 'spark-plug'.

But, Kuniaki recovered in Round 7, and never stopped moving while landing counter left hooks as the Champion
pressed while winging left-hands.

Shibata regrouped in Rounds 8 and 9 - and he used the 'move-and-counter' strategy to perfection, as he scored
with quick left-hooks as he leaped in and then back out. In the meantime, Villaflor went 'Knockout Happy'
with wide left hooks that missed their mark.

In Round 10, the young Champion was able to get a bit of rhthym, as he landed several sharp land hands that opened
a cut over Shibata's right eye, and drew a steady flow of blood from both the cut and Shibata's nose.

Not to be discouraged, Shibata was able to move 'side-to-side' to clear his head, and in Rounds 11 and 12 he put on
a masterful display of a 'move-counter-move' style that baffled the charging Champion.

Needing a 'Big Round', Villaflor came out in Round 13 with a 'determined and awesome attack', and threw left hand after
left hand until he finally 'nailed' Shibata at the (1:54 Mark). The punch staggered Shibata who was badly hurt.
The Champion tried follow-up left hands, but Shibata never slowed down and continued to move for the rest of the
Round showing his vast experience.

In Round 14, Shibata displayed another session of excellent boxing skills, as he would move and wait to counter with
quick left-hooks, then scamper away from the Champion who was swinging at air.

In Round 15, Villaflor, knowing he needed a 'Big Round' chased and threw left hands with a ferocious intent, but
though he won the Round, he was unable to land a clean solid blow on the elusive Kuniaki Shibata.

Scorecards;
Referee - Walter Cho.............72-70 (5-3-7 in Rounds) - Kuniaki Shibata
Judge - Walter Minn...............72-71 (4-3-8 in Rounds) - Kuniaki Shibata
Judge- Tomatsu Tomisharu.....71-69 (6-4-5 in Rounds) - Kuniaki Shibata

Associated Press....................69-68 (7-6-2 in Rounds) - Kuniaki Shibata
AP - Rounds
(Kuniaki Shibata = 4, 5, 8, 9, 11, 12, 14)
(Ben Villaflor = 2, 3, 6, 10, 13, 15)
(Even = 1 and 7)

Kuniaki Shibata, 'He is a good strong fighter, but I could see his punches coming. He telegraph's the left hand,
and I just waited to counter it but still kept moving. I will offer him a rematch after I fight #1 WBA Challenger
Victor Echegaray.'

Stanley Ito, 'Our plan was to 'wait-and-counter' for the first few Rounds, and not get into any exchanges with
Villaflor because he is very strong. I told Kuniaki to wait for Villaflor to throw the left hand, and then to move
and counter. I knew he would go 'Knockout Happy' and leave himself open for counters.'

The WBA has manadated that new Champion - Kuniaki Shibata defend against the #1 Challenger - Victor Echegaray
within 90-Days.

Newspaper Headlines
'SLUGGERS DUEL IN HAWAII, SHIBATA UPSETS VILLAFLOR'
'JAPANESE BOXER WINS, CAPTURES WBA TITLE'
'SHIBATA OUTDUELS VILLAFLOR'
'SHIBATA DECISIONS VILLAFLOR, WIN'S CLOSE FIGHT'
'SHIBATA WINS, OFFERS REMATCH'
'SHIBATA SHOWS MASTERY, WINS SECOND CHAMPIONSHIP'
'SHIBATA CAPTURES TITLE IN HAWAII BATTLE'
'SHIBATA WINS TITLE, DISPLAYS SUPERB COUNTER-PUNCHING IN 15-ROUND BOUT'
'SHIBATA WINS WITH GREAT MOVEMENT, EDGES VILLAFLOR'S ATTACK'

[Rover]

June 19, 1973

Victor Echegaray in another 'controversial' and extremely close fight.

* Kuniaki Shibata retained his WBA Super Featherweight Championship with a
'controversial' 15-Round Decision over the #1 WBA-ranked Challenger from
Argentina.

Scorecards;
* 73-70
* 72-68
* 72-71

Referee - Yasuka Yoshida awarded the Champion extra points for 'two' questionable
knockdowns that were viewed as 'slips' by the boxing press seated at Ringside in
Tokyo, Japan.

The UPI reporter stated that they were 'not knockdowns' in his view, and that the
Challenger would have won the bout on his scorecard by a score of {71-70} without
the 2-Point deduction. It was a very closely contested bout, and many of the Rounds
were evenly fought. There were constant lulls in the bout, and the Referee - Yasuka Yoshida
had to tell the two combatants to 'mix-it-up' numerous times.

Victor Echegaray, who was the #1 WBA Challenger will drop to #2, and former Champion
Ben Villaflor is now the mandatory Challenger, and will fight Kuniaki Shibata next, and
within 90-Days.

[Rover]

Kuniaki Shibata vs Victor Echegaray.

After 13 Rounds - Echegaray was ahead.

Scorecards;
* 64-63 (2-1-10 in Rounds).........Amazing '10' Rounds Even
* 62-62 (3-3-7 in Rounds)...........
* 65-62 (3-0-10 in Rounds).........

Kenji Shibata came out for Round 14, with a nearly closed right-eye from absorbing
many of the bigger Echegaray's left hands to the face.

But, the little 'fire-plug' Kenji Shibata had a good late-rally in Round 14,
to edge the Round {5-4}.

In Round 15, after a brief exchange, the Champion leaped in and landed a lead right
hand to the chin and a sharp left-hook to Echegaray's body as he was backing up at the
{0:22 Mark}.

As Echegaray bent down after absorbing the body punch, Shibata moved in with a little
tricky shoulder-roll, which forced Echegaray to the canvas. It should 'not' have been
ruled a 'knockdown', but Referee - Yasuka Yoshida administered an '8-Count' and
Echegaray threw his hands out in disbelief.

After the 8-Count, Shibata moved in with wild attack, and Echegaray bent down to avoid
the rush and his left hand actually touched the canvas as he fell back into the ropes. But
Echegaray bounced off the ropes, and started to attack and push Shibata back.

Then in a flash, Shibata leaped in with a wicked right-hand to the body at the {0:42 Mark}.
and Echegaray bent over in some pain as he moved into Shibata. The Champion then gave
a little push on the back of Echegaray's shoulder's as he was in close, and Victor went down
on all-fours, but bounced up immediately and was unhurt.

The Referee issued another '8-Count' as Echegaray again gave a gesture of displeasure with
the call. The action resumed, with the Argentinian as the aggressor. But, Shibata did land another
hard body punch which hurt Echegaray mid-way through the Round, and he moved backwards
and away from the Champion. Shibata clearly won the round, and the 'knockdowns' gave him
a big point edge.

Each Official scored Round 15 {5-2} for the Champion.

With the late-Round rally in the 14th, and big-point edge in the 15th, Kenji Shibata retained
his WBA Super Featherweight Championship.

A '4-Point' swing.

Kenji?

[Rover]

My Japanese is not so good.........

Please pass the Teriyaki Sauce

[Rover]

No rest for Kuniaki Shibata, he had to face Ben Villaflor again as his next Title Challenger.

Well, it was a short fight.:)

[Rover]

October 17, 1973

'CAUGHT HIM GOOD', VILLAFLOR REMARKS

Says Ben Villaflor, in describing the 'crushing' left hand that put Champion - Kuniaki Shibata
on his back in the 1st-Round. Shibata was too dazed to get up, and it was later announced
that he had suffered a broken jaw.

Ben Villaflor (Age; 20 years, 11 months) is the first Champion ever to lose his Title and Regain
it by the Age of 21. Ben Villaflor, 'I didn't expect a First Round knock-out, but he leaned in and
I caught him good on the point of his jaw.'

http://www.google.com/url?sa=t&rct=j&q= ... H8Lcz3Aqzw

[Rover]

December 1973 (WBA Rankings)

*** Ben Villaflor (USA)
#1.. Victor Echegaray (Argentina)
#2.. Lothar Abend (Germany)
#3.. Kuniaki Shibata (Japan)
#4.. Hyun-Chul Kim (Korea)
#5.. Samuel Serrano (Puerto Rico)
#6.. Alfredo Escalera (Puerto Rico)
#7.. Apollo Yoshio (Japan)
#8.. Jose Luis Lopez (Mexico)
#9.. Yasutsune Uehara (Japan)
#10 ????

Never heard of Abend.

[Rover]

Lothar Abend

Read that he made alot of money in the European Circuit, and was not interested in a World
Championship Bout, as he turned down several opportunities

The Polish-born Lothar was a celebrity in the Eastern European Block already, and he enjoyed
being the European Champion.

Christ, sounds like Povetkin.

[Rover]

Was a German Postman (Postal Delivery Mail Man) by day.

European Super Featherweight Champion by night.

Must have enjoyed delivering all those 'Publisher Clearning House' envelopes.......

Lot's of Deutsche Marks in Germany's Postal Delivery System.

The German version of Tony Thornton.

[Rover]

Thursday Night - March 14, 1974

City Gymnasium - Toyoma, Japan
Attendance; 5200 (Sell-Out)

** WBA Champion ~ Ben Villaflor ~ 51-5-3 (27 KO's) ~ Age; 21 years, 4 months ~ Height; 5' 6"
vs.
#7 WBA Challenger ~ Apollo Yoshio ~ 26-6-3 (10 KO's) ~ Age; 23 years, 3 months ~ Height 5' 6"

Ben Villaflor is made a 'heavy' 5-1 Betting-Favorite by the Japanese Boxing Experts. After watching
several sparring sessions, they have come away saying that Apollo Yoshio has 'no chance' in winning, but
may survive if he circles to his left and stays away from Villaflor's powerful left hand.

Though Apollo Yoshio is equal in size to the younger Champion, but he in no way can match Villaflor's power.
But, he has better footwork and his speed may make it difficult for Villaflor to trap him, to unload his
heavy left hand.

In the meantime, Ben Villaflor has developed weight issues, and is 132 lbs. +2 lbs. over on Wednesday, the
day before the bout. Manager Larry Inchonise has his young Champion skip rope in a heated sauna, in an
attempt to dry out.

Ah, weight problems...

[Rover]

Too Much Sushi,,,,,,,, :P

The Fight,

The Champion (127 3/4 lbs.) made weight, but looked somewhat dried-out. From the outset, Villaflor chased and
Apollo flew. In Rounds 1 and 2, Apollo made no effort to throw a punch, as he stayed on his bicycle and
cirlcled to his left.

In Round 3, there was some action, as Yoshio leaped in a few times with quick right-hands, and one of them
opened a small cut over the Champion's left eye.

Villaflor continued to chase in Rounds 4, 5 and 6 - as Apollo stood on the outer-edge circling. Each time that
the Champion did get close to the Japanese Challenger, Apollo would clinch, and lock up Villaflor's arms.

As Villaflor continued to stalk in the middle-rounds (7 thru 11), Apollo was 'happy' to avoid any exchanges, as
his fight-plan appeared to be 'to survive' rather than win. Several times the Referee - Shoichi Kato had to instruct
both combatants to pick up the action, but neither obliged.

The speed-and-clutch philosophy for Apollo seemed to work, as the Champion looked tired after the 11th-Round.
Apollo was then able to land a few right-hands in Round 12, while darting in quickly, before bouncing back out into
a safe-zone where Villaflor was not quick enough to throw his hard left hands.

Rounds 13 thru 15 were the same pattern, as Apollo circled and occassionally darted in to throw a quick right-hand,
while Villaflor stalked and landed glancing left hands on an ever-moving Challenger.

Scorecards;
* Referee - Shoichi Kato........73-73 (2-2-11 in Rounds) 'Even'
* Judge - Hideo Ikoma..........74-73 (2-1-12 in Rounds) Apollo Yoshio
* Judge - Hachiro Aki............74-73 (2-1-12 in Rounds) Ben Villaflor

'FILI BOXER RETAINS TITLE WITH DRAW'
'VILLAFLOR KEEPS TITLE ON DRAW'
'VILLAFLOR - YOSHIO, UNPOPULAR DRAW'
'VILLAFLOR - YOSHIO, ONE CHASED, ONE RAN'

Larry Inchonise (Ben Villaflor's Manager) 'This was the most bizarre fight that I have ever been involved in.
The fight was not in anyway close. I have never seen such bad scoring, Ben won this fight by at least 5-Points.
Ben threw more punches, and he was a lot more effective. I'll admit, it wasn't one of his better performances,
and quite possibly the fast weight loss did hamper his performance, as he was tired in the 11th Round.

UPI; The 5000 pro-Yoshio supporters at the City Gymnasium seemed to think that if their Hometown Fighter
went the distance, that he would automatically be crowned Champion. But, Ben Villaflor was much more effective
over the first 10-Rounds, as the Challenger looked to avoid any exchanges and did not appear to 'earn' a round
on the scorecards. The Champion did tire after Round 11, and Yoshio was able to mount a minor offense by scoring
with snappy, but infrequent right hands in Round 12.

UPI Scorecard......74-69 (6-1-8 in Rounds).

12 even rounds?

[Rover]

Three 'Japanese Officials'..........

Every Newspaper article has Apollo running like a 'rocket'......

The Hawaiian Register had Ben Villaflor winning 7-1-7. Scoring only 'Round 12' for the
fleet footed Challenger, who was content on using his track skills to stay away from the
powerful Champion. The Newspaper gave Villaflor the first 7-Rounds, and they scored
all the rest 'Even', except for Round 12.

The Champion gave up chasing the Japanese Challenger in Round 8, and was content to
stalk and throw single left hands to the body for the rest of the 'dull' and 'actionless' bout.

7/8 rounds even? Glad we don't usually see scoring like that anymore.

[Rover]

Friday Night - July 19, 1974

Araneta Coliseum - Quezon City, The Philippines

Ben Villaflor returns,,,,,,,,,,

The WBA Super Featherweight, with a record of 51-5-4 (28 KO's) is back home for a 'non-title' bout
with scrappy Japanese Super Featherweight 26 year-old - Takoa 'Tenyu' Maruki 10-5-4 (0 KO's).

The 21 year, 8 month old Filipio-born Hawaiian is trying to stay busy, as his Manager Larry Inchonise
has been having talks with the possibility of having Ben go to California to fight WBA Featherweight
Champion - Ruben Olivares.

The Fight;

Fighting in front of nearly 11,000 Filipino spectators, Ben (1312 lbs.) takes his time as stalks and follows
Takoa (132 lbs.) who despite no power, is a fairly decent boxer.

Thru 4-Rounds, it is a suprisingly competitive bout, as Takoa fires quick one-two's, before scampering
away. Ben continues to plod in Round 5, before realizing he better get going as this is a 10-Round bout.

In Round 6, Villaflor's heavy pressure and thudding left hands start to take their toll on the fleet-footed
Takoa who is starting to whither from solid left hands to the body.

There is some confusion in Takoa's corner after Round 6, on whether to send him out for Round 7.
But Takoa gives at go, until a left to the body and short left to the face send him reeling backwards
into the ropes and unable to defend himself properly, where the Referee calls a halt to the bout at
{0:47} of Round 7. {TKO 7}

Suprisingly, Takoa Maruki surfaces 4 1/2 - years later (November 1978), and takes Samuel Serrano
15-Rounds in a losing effort for the WBA Super Featherweight Championship.

Didn't Olivares have to do the Arguello mandatory?

[Rover]

Ruben Olivares won the 'vacant' WBA Featherweight Chamionship in July 1974.

Larry Inchonise and George Parnassus of the The Olympic were trying to set up an
October 1974 date.

The WBA would have made accommodations, no doubt about that one.

Arturo 'Cuyo' Hernandez (Ruben's Manager) was a little concerned about the
tall Nicaraguan.

With good reason.

[Rover]

After Ben Villaflor vs. Ruben Oliavres discussions fell apart in late-July 1974

Larry Inchonise put together the *Ben Villaflor vs #7 WBA-ranked Yautsune Uehara bout for August 24, 1974.

With hopes of staging Ben vs Ruben for later in 1974, before the Olivares - Arguello bout was signed.

Major credit to him for that win; only one to stop Uehara.

[Rover]

True,,,,,,

In my opinion - Ben Villaflor would have crushed Ruben Olivares, much the same way Art Hafey
did in 1973, by (KO 5).

Agreed, especially at super feather.

[Rover]

As a matter of fact, both those guys would have walked right through Ruben at 130 lbs.

Both 5' 6" 'Fire-Hydrants', with powerful torso's. Massive legs. Ruben was soft at 126+ lbs.

Saturday Night - August 24, 1974

Blaisdell Center - Honolulu, Hawaii

Attendance; 9500 (Sell-Out)

** Ben Villaflor ~ 52-5-4 (29 KO's) ~ Age; 21 years, 9 months ~ Height 5' 6" ~ Weight 129 3/4 lbs.
vs.
#4 WBA - Yasutsune 'Leopard' Uehara ~ 10-1-0 {8 KO's) ~ Age 24 years, 10 months ~ Height 5' 5 1/2" ~ Weight 129 1/2 lbs.

The Fight;

Bombs away, as Yasutsune took it right to the Champion, and stood right in front of him trading. But Ben aligned himself
and rocked the Challenger with a hard right hook at the {1:00 Mark) . But Yasutsune would not retreat, and came back
with some good punches of his own, until the {2:07 Mark}.

As Yasutsune leaned in, Ben fired a right upper-cut which just missed, but followed with a chopping left hand to the
back of the Yasutsune's right ear. In a pause, then a delay - the Challenger fell to the canvas. Up at the '4-Count,
Yasutsune resumed his aggressive charge, but the Chanpion landed several more short chopping punches.

In Round 2, Yasutsune foolishly pressed, and after a few brisk exchanges, the Champion landed a crisp right-left
that dropped the Challenger at the {0:45 Mark}. Up at the '8-Count', Yasutsune 'dazed' tried to fight back, but
after a quick salvo the Champion landed a hard short left uppercut, and after a pause - Yasutsune fell to the
canavas. The Referee - Walter Cho reached '9' as the Challenger got up, but he waved it over.

KO 2 {1:17}

Fight Purses;
* Ben Villaflor............$70,000
* Yasutsune Uehara....$15,000 (Plus $10,000 Ancillary Fee from Japanese Television)

Note; American Heavyweight - Mike Weaver fought on the undercard agianst Mani Vaka.

[Rover]

Mr. Rover,

Big 'non-title' Lightweight Bout set for Thursady Night - November 14, 1974 in San Francisco, California.

The biggest fight in 'two-years' at the Cow Palace in Daly City.

* WBA Super Featherweight Champion - Ben Villaflor 53-5-4 (30 KO's)
vs.
#6 WBA Lightweight - Ray Lunny III ~ 18-0-2 (7 KO's)

Ben Villaflor in his 'first bout' on the Main-Land, is looking to enter the Lightweight ranks,
with a possibility of challenging - WBA Lightweight Champion - Roberto Duran. Also, there
have been talks about Ben fighting Ruben Olivares, if Mr. Knockout' can get by Alexis
Arguello in '10-Days' (November 24 at The Forum).

Ray Lunny III, a popular Northern Californian - a 5' 9" tall, lanky and scrappy Lightweight, who has been
somewhat protected in building up an undefeated record. Ring Magazine has posted Ray at #7 Lightweight.
A 'win' here, and Ray Lunny III has been promised a WBA Lightweight Championship bout.

Ah well, Ruben couldn't get by Alexis.