Roiman Villa is a believer in perseverance. Why not? It served him well.
The 30-year-old welterweight competitor is behind all three scorecards compared to Rashidi Ellis in the 12th roundlame pants and the final round when he knocked out Ellis twice for a decisive majority win in January.
A split victory over a notable opponent has made for an even bigger fight: He is scheduled to take on Jaron Ennis on Saturday night at Boardwalk Hall in Atlantic City, New Jersey.
He told Boxing Junkie through a translator: “You have to keep pushing, especially against the more tactically savvy, elite boxers. “If you let them dance around, you’ll go crazy. If you keep pushing, really pursue them, one day you will break through.
“It was thrilling,” he added, referring to the 12 key pointslame pants round. “That was in the past, though. Now I’m focusing on the next opportunity.”
It was his encounter with Ennis, one of the most feared emerging warriors regardless of division.
Villa (26-1.24 KOs) understands that Ennis (30-0.27 KOs) offers more benefits than Ellis, most notably his ability to end any skirmish instantly ie. And the Venezuelan will fight on the biggest stage of his career, in the main event on Showtime.
If Villa is confused, he certainly won’t show it.
He was the underdog in his last two games, against Janelson Bocachica in September and Ellis four months later. He eased past Bocachica in the eighth half before making a late serve against Ellis.
Besides, although he has never faced anyone like Ennis, Villa, who is also a big boxer, believes that he will be Ennis’ most difficult challenge. He added that he doesn’t pay much attention to his opponent, including this one.
What about the national audience? His focus is on setting himself up to win, nothing else.
“I think I’m a different opponent than anyone he’s ever met,” Villa said. “I haven’t actually watched any of his fights, just a few videos. I don’t like to focus on my opponent; I like to focus on myself. Whoever it is, I have to go out there and show something he hasn’t seen.”
And he doesn’t care what people say or think.
“People can say what they want,” he said. “I know I can prove everyone wrong again. … I have to take it one step at a time. And hopefully I can keep going up the stairs and reach the top. … Look at Manny Pacquiao. People used to think he was going to lose when he got on the field and he’s built a reputation as one of the greatest ever. …
“He is an inspiration to me. That’s how it goes for most people. One day you can be noticed, the other day you can be a star.”
