July 1st marks a historic day for Laredo and for all of Texas boxing. Legendary Hall Of Famer and four-division world champion Roberto "Manos de Piedra" Duran, who is largely considered the greatest lightweight of all time, will be the special guest at The P4P Entertainment boxing card at the Sames Auto Arena. Duran compiled an incredible career record of 103-16 (70) and was inducted into the International Boxing Hall of Fame in 2007 in Canastota, New York.
It was at the International Boxing Hall of Fame that P4P Entertainment, matchmaker Luey Villarreal, met the legendary world champ during Induction Weekend. "I introduced myself," Villareal recalls. Villarreal, also a former ABF Jr Middleweight champ and owner of Ferocious Fitness in San Antonio, spoke to Duran and told him his "Dad passed a few months ago, and Duran was at the top of his list and his style was an influence on him." Villarreal went on and explained that he was making the Laredo card for July 1 and has had other legendary world champs such as Marco Antonio Barrera, Austin Trout, and Jorge Arce as special guests and would be honored to have him as the special guest for the July show. Villarreal, originally of Houston, and now lives with his wife and three kids in San Antonio, said that Duran was interested. The legendary fighter said to reach out to his son to clear it with his schedule. True to his word, the legend's son reached back out and told him that his dad, who still lives in his native Panama full time, schedule was clear as long as he could be back in his home country by Sunday, and he would be happy to attend the P4P Entertainment event in Laredo. Duran, who never fought in the Lone Star State as a professional, said that he has family in Texas, hes just not exactly sure where.
Villareal in Action in 2018
Pound for Pound Promotions has now put on five cards throughout South Texas and has created quite a buzz in the area. The December 2022 card, at the Payne Arena, in Hidalgo, featured legendary former world champ Austin "No Doubt" Trout in the main event. Trout, who has a win over legendary Hall of Famer Miguel Cotto at Madison Square Garden, defeated rugged conteder Jose Charles via unanimous decision. The card was televised by ESPN3 and marked the return of big-time boxing to the Rio Grande Valley. Additionally, Villarreal has worked with the legendary promoter Bob Arum's Top Rank and had fighters featured on PBC's Showtime events and on PROBOX TV cards. His fighter's have been on some of the year's biggest cards, including the Benavidez-Plant PPV clash and the Rolly Romero- Ismael Barroso card back in May.
Villarrel in action at the Scottish Rite San Antonio
In addition to working alongside P4P Entertainment President Santiago "Chago" Martinez, the President of P4P, Villarreal started Ferocious Fitness Boxing Gym in 2019. His gym was shortly thereafter threatened by the COVID-19 pandemic, but the fighter persevered and fought through it ferociously. Villarreal, whose father was a fighter, and was trained by and is best friends with Main St Boxing Gym trainer/cutman Aaron Navaro, who works with world champion Regis Prograis and O'shaquie Foster, was taught well and rose above the distractions. He now has one of the premier gyms in Texas that includes professional boxers: Juan Garcia, Bruno Pola, Axl Melendez, Jaime Jasso, Joshua Montoya, Sebastian Rodriguez, Braian and Ramon Soto, and Nick Molina. The gym has come a long way in just a few years.
Villarreal is also extremely active in the community. In addition to running his businesses, coaching, mentoring, and staying focused on his family, the former ABF title holder \has created the Ferocious Championship Foundation in 2023. The foundation was created to impact the community in a positive direction.
As far as the July 1 card itself, it is absolutely loaded with talent and highly intriguing matchups. The card is headlined by 17-year-old phenom and Laredo native, the undefeated "Gatito" Felix Garcia. Garcia takes the biggest challenge of his career as the super featherweight puts his 5-0 (1) record on the line against his toughest challenge to date. In a battle of the dos Laredos. He takes his first six-rounder of his career and battles Jose Casiano, 2-3-1 (0), of Nuevo Laredo, Mexico. Casiano has been in with elite Texas fighters such as Robert "Biggie" Rodriguez and "El Castigo" Richard Medina. The card also features hometown favorites, Jorge and Alex Ramos. Jorge, El Gallo Giro, 8-3-1(5), takes a massive challenge with the surging Joshua "Spotlight" Montoya, who has won three fights in a row and has done so against fighters with a combined 20-5 (1) record and captured a Texas title by defeating RGV native Nelson "Hot hands" Hampton on the December card at the Payne Arena that featured Austin Trout. Finally, in what promises to be an all-action slugfest Gateway City native Jose Cardenas, 6-1 (5), battles RGV native Hugo "Tigre" Castaneda, who captured the WBO Youth Super Featherweight title late last year when he brutally stopped Maykol Mendoza in the third round in Reynosa, Mexico. Also in action is Laredo-based cruiserweight contender Hector "Tito" Ferreyro Jr, who looks to continue his comeback. Tito scored a first-round TKO in March following a three-year layoff.