Otilio Villarreal once had every boxer’s dream – to be a world champion – but he has become what is known as a “rival,” a tough, dependable laner hired to beat the competition. famous opponents in one-sided matches.
The Ecuadorian settled in the Bronx, where he turned professional in 1992 with the ability but not the high-level support to succeed. He started his career 11-0-1 thanks to natural talent but lost most of his matches after that, including his last 11 from 1997 to 2003. who took him down in that time period: Zab Judah, Kermit Cintron, and Hector Camacho.
All his hopes of becoming a champion were dashed in the middle of his woeful career.
“They used me for my name. And I need money,” he said.
However, Villarreal’s story does not end there. A world title remains a possibility for another Villarreal, Ismael Villarreal, the son and protégé of a failed boxer.
Younger Villarreal (12-0.8 KOs) is a 25-year-old promising middleweight athlete who grew up in New York. And he’s so good, which is why he’ll be appearing in Friday’s main event on Showtime’s “ShoBox: The New Generation,” a apt term for him.
Villarreal is expected to face another undefeated young boxer, Ardreal Holmes (12-0.5 KOs).
“He didn’t have success in his career but he did succeed in being a great dad,” the younger Villarreal told Boxing Junkie. “And even though he’s been through what he’s been through, he’s learned a lot. When it came to me, he had a better idea of boxing, not just boxing but the business side as well. It can be shady.
“And the situations where he made mistakes… he tried to direct me so that I wouldn’t make the same mistakes. He’s been through it all, seen it all.”
Ismael Villarreal doesn’t make many mistakes. So far, he has lived up to his promise, although Holmes represents a step forward in the opposition. The fight is also an interesting match of different body types and styles, Villarreal stocky and strong, Holmes lanky and sleek.
This is the kind of fight – on national television – that can put a winner on the leaderboard, which is a huge step forward in any boxer’s career.
“Once I win, it opens a lot of doors for me,” Villarreal said. “Many people will notice who I am, who Ismael Villarreal is. And I’m not afraid to fight anyone. I’m not afraid to risk losing my “0”.
Villarreal was asked how close he believed he was to the world championship and he was left empty-handed. Of course, he hopes that day will come soon but he understands how things work. It’s a step-by-step process if done properly, that’s not the experience of Otilio Villarreal.
The son is taken on by veteran promoter Kathy Duva, meaning he’s in good hands. His time will come if he continues to win.
And he has extra motivation: Knowing what his father has endured in his career. He wanted to give his dad what the old man was never close to getting, a shiny new belt.
“If I win it, he will get it too,” the son said.
What do you think?
Otilio Villarreal was given a hypothesis. His son went on to win, win major championships, deliver a performance of a lifetime, and finally raise his hand. How will that make old General Villarreal feel?
He shook his head and smiled.
“All of my matches have been difficult for me,” he said, implying that he has been unfairly confronted in many of his matches. “I see now. I didn’t before, but now I see. Those people pushed me into hard battles. … I [remember] thinking, ‘I’m going to America with better conditions. I must [became] The champion of the world.'”
Two decades after the last battle, that dream was passed on to his son. And he is confident that it will be done a second time.
“When my son becomes a champion,” he said, “I will feel very happy.”
