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SportsTranscript
00:00 All right, gentlemen, whatever the rules are in the dressing room, I want you to obey my
00:03 commands, protect yourself, solve time.
00:05 Play limpe, buenos fuerte.
00:07 Touch 'em up, good luck.
00:09 Ruben Villa is a skilled southpaw who has been with Max and Sam Garcia since his fourth
00:15 professional fight, but tonight is special to him.
00:18 It's the first time he's fighting as a father.
00:21 He was surprised by his girlfriend Celeste, who knocked on the door right before the weigh-in
00:27 on his hotel room, and she was carrying their two-month-old daughter, Amaya Celine, and
00:33 he says, "You know what?
00:34 It just changes the way I think about everything."
00:36 I like this young man, Villa.
00:44 Very skillful, very seasoned fighter.
00:48 You can tell, you know, he understands distance.
00:51 Oh, got caught with an uppercut right there, but he understands distance.
00:55 A pure boxer from the southpaw stance.
01:00 He admires cerebral boxers like Floyd Mayweather, Vasily Lomachenko, and Juan Manuel Marquez
01:05 does Ruben Villa, and he is so good that he has a win against the man in the main event
01:13 tonight, against the world champion Luis Alberto "El Venado" Lopez.
01:18 He beat him early on in his career in May of 2019, so he has a path towards revenge
01:27 if he can get a victory tonight as he's ranked number 11 by the IBF.
01:32 See, what you're seeing here now is battle position, southpaw versus orthodox.
01:38 Again, the southpaw usually, in the orthodox fighter, you're fighting for the lead foot
01:43 positioning, you know, to be able to land your power shot or your backhand.
01:48 You want to get that lead foot outside of the lead foot of your opposition.
01:51 See, in this case, for my man Valdez, he has to get his left foot outside of Villa's left
01:58 foot, or lead foot, I should say.
02:00 Valdez coming out fast, landing some good right hands, his aggressiveness paying dividends
02:06 early on against Ruben Villa.
02:09 And it's that uppercut right there that's catching my attention, coming from Valdez.
02:14 Just letting the right hand go, but then that short uppercut is a punch that Villa is not
02:18 used to seeing.
02:19 Ooh, that's a short, crisp shot from Villa, but Valdez has some answers to it.
02:34 Valdez got into boxing because he was getting in trouble fighting on the streets of Barranquilla,
02:39 Colombia, and he's like, "That's not the right place to be fighting."
02:42 But nonetheless, he had 170 amateur fights out in Colombia, and he trains out of Los
02:47 Angeles, so he says, "I get elite sparring all over Southern California."
02:52 Yeah, and Valdez is throwing some different combinations at the Southpaw.
03:01 He's throwing the right hand and the jab, which is a 2-1 combination.
03:04 He's throwing the right hand and the uppercut, and occasionally he'll sweep with the uppercut,
03:08 the left uppercut, and throw the right hand.
03:11 Southpaws are not used to these type of punches coming at them.
03:14 They're used to the right hand coming, occasional left hook, but not the uppercut.
03:23 Good offense right there.
03:24 A nice combination there from Villa.
03:28 He pushes Valdez back, and Villa's got newfound power.
03:32 He had five knockouts in his first 19 fights, but he's got two in a row coming in.
03:38 I feel like I've always had power.
03:40 It's just using it effectively and using it to my advantage.
03:43 I'm starting to notice when to use it, how to use it, and as far as my angles, set up
03:49 a lot of my power shots too.
03:51 So a lot of angles, a lot of jabs, and then the power shots come in later in the fight.
03:55 I always knew I had power, but as far as boxing and training and obviously setting it up,
04:02 I just had to learn to set it up with my jab, and the rest is history.
04:07 Always in my left and right hand, so I'm just excited to do my best and perform like I always
04:12 do.
04:13 I'm happy with my career as far as right now, but I'm never satisfied.
04:15 I'm always hungry to learn.
04:17 I'm always hungry to do better, and in the future, I want to just be in exciting fights
04:21 where people are going to talk about it.
04:22 Tonight, I'm going to give my best performance and hopefully steal the show.
04:26 That's my plan.
04:31 We see that every time he's in a fight, his face reddens, but nonetheless, there's no
04:36 damage done as of yet.
04:37 Look, Tim, he got dropped twice in the first round and the fourth round by Emmanuel Navarrete
04:42 in the bubble in 2020, and he lost a close fight on the scorecards, 112-114 on two of
04:48 those scorecards.
04:49 So it just shows you how competitive he was against the fuzz saw offensively like Navarrete.
04:54 Yeah, he used his legs in that fight.
04:56 He used them well.
04:57 Once he was able to find his range and get outside the range of Navarrete, he was having
05:02 success towards the back end of that fight.
05:05 He was frustrating Navarrete with his movement.
05:08 Navarrete needs a target to sit in front of him to be able to operate, but Navarrete,
05:12 the strong champion that he is, he figured out he won a lot of those early rounds, and
05:17 he ended up winning a close decision against Villa.
05:20 But see, Villa's talking about his punching power, but it's about timing.
05:27 That's what it's about.
05:28 Throwing punches from, I would say, advantageous positions to where his opponent doesn't see
05:35 the punches coming.
05:37 That's where the power comes in.
05:39 It's not necessarily he has a one-punch knockout power.
05:41 He has respectable power to begin with, maybe has some heavy hands, but when he gets off
05:46 on those angles and his opponents can't see where those punches are coming, they're going
05:49 to do some serious damage.
05:52 >> Nice right hand from Valdez.
05:59 >> And so Villa's the type of opponent that likes to break you down mentally.
06:04 He likes to make you feel silly.
06:07 I know another guy like that, Keyshawn Davis, another one.
06:11 Very defensive in tight end spots, likes to dictate control of the ring, but at the same
06:15 time he'll make you miss, and then he'll land a shot any time he feels like it.
06:20 If he wants to end it, he'll end it.
06:23 He wants to turn it up, he'll turn it up.
06:25 And that's what you're seeing from Villa right now.
06:26 He's letting Valdez wear himself down a bit, playing defense right now, and looking to
06:32 land something significant, open him up for something.
06:34 You're going to see the left hand come over the top.
06:37 Watch.
06:38 It's coming.
06:39 >> And he does what you wouldn't advise, does Villez, go towards the power hand of Valdez,
06:46 he trusts his instincts, his speed and his reflexes to be able to counter.
06:50 >> Well, that's the old way of fighting.
06:52 You know, who said you can't move left or right when you're fighting a southpaw or fighting
06:55 an orthodox?
06:56 You can.
06:57 You know, we call that fighting against the right hand.
06:59 You're splitting the body in half, and you're taking his jab away, the orthodox fighter,
07:03 and you're able to split his body and just battle that left, that right hand.
07:07 Now the right hand comes, you make it miss, and then you make him pay.
07:12 >> Nice jab to the body from Villa.
07:18 The corner of Valdez saying, look, kind of use your body as a swing, and use that momentum
07:25 to find a good combination.
07:27 He did land a right hand on Villa.
07:29 >> Some good shots right there from Valdez at the end of that, end of this round.
07:39 Let's listen in to Max and Sam Garcia in the corner of Villa.
07:43 >> But cheat it off to your right a little bit more.
07:50 Cheat it off to your right a little bit more, and instead of that straight left right down
07:54 the middle, be conscious of the body work, and don't get lured into staying too close.
08:00 If you're going to walk him back, walk him back off the jab.
08:03 >> Not too strong.
08:04 >> Not too strong?
08:05 Okay.
08:06 >> Hey, if you're going to walk him back and start pushing him back, make sure you do it
08:07 off the jab, okay?
08:08 >> Yeah.
08:09 >> Don't count it with an uppercut for a straight right, okay?
08:12 >> Don't let -- don't get off to the side where you're in the middle.
08:16 Just one side or the other.
08:18 Every time you drop underneath his right hand, wrap the left hook to the body.
08:21 We got to get that punch going, and you got to follow with the right hook to the body
08:24 on the other side.
08:25 On the other side, when you finish, finish with the right hook to the body.
08:32 >> It was his father, Ruben Villa, who took the lead before Traynor, but Sam Garcia and
08:38 Max Garcia got in there, so a different vibe there in Ruben Villa's corner here as he comes
08:43 out for round number three against a very game Brandon Valdez, who says, "You know what
08:48 the difference is going to be?
08:50 My discipline, my hunger, and my work ethic."
08:55 >> And his legs.
08:56 You know, if you look at Valdez, his feet are always set.
09:02 You know, a fighter is dangerous when his feet are constantly set and planted on that
09:06 canvas.
09:07 And that's what you see in Valdez.
09:09 A lot of times, Villa takes advantage of guys where they're trying to find him, and they're
09:13 picking up their feet, and he's able to create angles for himself with his footwork, and
09:17 then make them pay as they're trying to walk in or close the distance.
09:22 Not here.
09:23 >> Valdez shuffles, right?
09:24 He keeps his feet planted.
09:25 He doesn't pick them up much, and so he doesn't give Villa that opportunity to catch him in
09:29 the middle.
09:30 >> Exactly.
09:31 >> Come on, suba.
09:35 >> Great observation there, Tim.
09:38 Earning your money?
09:39 >> A little bit.
09:40 I know a little bit, man.
09:41 You know, evolution.
09:42 You know, you evolve with everything you do, man.
09:43 >> See that uppercut?
09:44 That uppercut is nasty.
09:45 That's a sneaky punch right there.
09:46 That is a sneaky punch.
09:47 >> And he's got a good grip.
09:48 >> He's got a good grip.
09:49 >> He's got a good grip.
09:50 >> He's got a good grip.
09:51 >> He's got a good grip.
09:52 >> He's got a good grip.
09:53 >> He's got a good grip.
09:54 >> He's got a good grip.
09:55 >> He's got a good grip.
09:56 >> He's got a good grip.
09:57 >> But here come Villa getting off on the angle.
09:59 That's what I'm talking about.
10:00 >> Nice flurry with that right finish.
10:04 >> This is Loma S type of angles right here you're seeing.
10:11 >> So you went to school.
10:13 What you call that little thing that you make circles with?
10:16 >> The compass?
10:17 >> Yeah.
10:18 That's what he's using.
10:19 >> Oh, nice left up.
10:20 >> It's a protractor.
10:21 >> No, the protractor is half circle.
10:22 >> Yeah, it's a compass.
10:23 >> The compass, you bring it all the way around.
10:24 Come on.
10:25 >> I know you went to school.
10:26 >> Come on, man.
10:27 >> I know.
10:28 >> Two bachelor's degrees, come on, man.
10:29 You know where my kids go to school?
10:32 >> Absolutely.
10:33 That's what he's using.
10:34 That's exactly what he's using right there.
10:37 Compass type footwork.
10:40 Going around his man.
10:43 >> Nice left to the body once again from Villa.
10:54 >> This is a tense fight because you can see the power in Valdez's punches and the skill
10:58 in Villa and the fact that he's trying to set up his power shots.
11:02 >> No, but what you're saying now is Villa, you're saying experience now.
11:05 So Villa's found a key.
11:07 He's had some success stepping to Valdez.
11:10 So now he's standing his ground and now he's trying to push him back.
11:13 He's saying, oh, you don't fight well off your back foot, do you?
11:17 Oh, well, let me go ahead and test that a little bit more and let's see if that's true.
11:21 That's why he's standing still now and he's willing to exchange with him.
11:27 >> See, Valdez keeping that right at home because --
11:32 >> Low blow warning.
11:37 >> And he know he hurt him with that right hand.
11:38 >> Ooh, got the nice one, too, from Villa.
11:40 The punctuate.
11:41 An excellent third round for him.
11:43 All right, Tim, that last sequence was excellent for Villa, but we've seen good action back
11:50 and forth all night long between these two fighters.
11:53 >> No, you're saying their game plans unfold.
11:55 >> Yes.
11:56 >> But, you know, you're saying their game plans unfold.
11:58 You know, Valdez, he had a great game plan.
12:00 He was attacking Villa, taking away his angles, keeping his feet planted.
12:03 He was throwing the right punches, the right hand, occasional left hook, but the uppercut,
12:07 that left uppercut is a surprising shot for him on Villa.
12:11 But Villa, again, smart fighter.
12:13 He made an adjustment towards the back end of this round right here, okay?
12:16 He started stepping to Valdez, and he started to say, like, oh, Valdez don't like to be
12:20 pushed back.
12:21 Oh, I see.
12:23 So now you're going to see Villa come out.
12:24 He's going to be a little bit more -- he'll have a little bit more authority on his front
12:28 foot, and he's going to look to attack Valdez in this next round.
12:33 Right now, he's on tackle.
12:37 >> When I looked at Villa in his corner, I saw the mouthpiece, and it reminded me of
12:41 why his nickname is Drac for Dracula.
12:44 >> Oh, he got the Dracula look with the fangs?
12:47 >> No, because when he was a kid, he didn't have any front teeth.
12:49 He only had the two on the side, and all the kids would call him Drac.
12:52 >> I can see him like that, too.
12:56 I think we all had those.
12:58 >> Yeah, but -- >> We did all have those, bro.
13:00 >> But if you get caught at the wrong time, it becomes your nickname.
13:03 >> Facts.
13:04 >> That's what happened to Ruben Villa.
13:07 Let's see what happens here as we're in the fourth round of a scheduled eight-rounder.
13:10 Valdez looking for that right uppercut that's done damage early on in this fight, but now
13:19 Villa pushing the bully back.
13:22 >> What's your favorite nickname, ring nickname, you think?
13:29 >> So it was Manuel Escopeta Gomez, Shotgun Gomez, because they used to call him the Frog,
13:35 but he hit like a shotgun, and so they called him Shotgun.
13:38 So when you're good enough to have your name changed from the Frog to the Shotgun, you
13:43 got to respect that.
13:44 >> Right, right, right.
13:45 >> What about yours?
13:46 >> Desert Storm.
13:47 >> No, I think it's -- I think -- you know what?
13:52 It's Darnell "The Ding-a-ling Man" Williams.
13:55 >> Oh, come on, man.
13:56 >> That's my favorite one.
13:57 >> I remember that.
13:58 >> You remember him?
13:59 >> Yes.
14:00 >> That has to be the best.
14:01 >> As a kid, you were like, okay, I got to respect that.
14:04 >> That has to be the best name ever, right?
14:11 >> There he is, stalking again.
14:19 >> Valdez needs to summon his inner Yuri "Arkis" Gamboa here, because Villa is coming on in
14:27 the fourth round.
14:28 >> Yeah, he's catching him, just standing straight up.
14:33 Not being able to do anything.
14:34 You know, when you have Valdez, Valdez is great coming forward, but when you stand him
14:37 straight up, you start banging him down to the body and catching him with shots up top,
14:43 it's hard for him to defend against.
14:45 And Villa is smart, he's sharp, so he's able to find little holes in that offense or in
14:53 the defense of Valdez.
14:54 You see how Valdez is coming out wide, watch Villa is going to come up the middle with
14:57 shots.
14:58 >> Good punches right there, good combination.
15:04 >> But then Villa comes answers with the same exact flurry and he gets the best of it.
15:09 >> But that's what you do, you answer the calls.
15:11 You have to answer the calls.
15:13 Because you don't want your opponent to gain any type of confidence that's going to propel
15:20 him to come on strong.
15:23 So Villa doing the right thing and battling and coming straight back with his combinations
15:26 as well to put him in his place.
15:30 >> The voice you're hearing is Ruben Villa's mom.
15:36 She is not having it.
15:37 >> Fierce, fierce.
15:38 >> She's like the third person in this call for us because you can hear her throughout
15:43 this fight.
15:44 >> Good hook.
15:45 It's a good fight.
15:46 This is an actual and a very entertaining fight.
15:52 A lot of skill in the ring you're seeing.
15:59 >> It's a family affair.
16:03 Mom is fired up.
16:05 Father's in the corner of Ruben Villa.
16:07 You hear the Garcia's as well.
16:10 >> And everybody goes on a diet.
16:13 >> I remember that.
16:16 >> Everybody goes on a diet during the training.
16:18 >> So when Ruben Villa is in camp, his mom makes the entire family.
16:22 He's got four sisters.
16:23 And he says when I was on a diet making weight, everybody was on a diet.
16:29 >> Absolutely.
16:30 >> That didn't happen in the -- >> That's a sobriety household.
16:34 >> It happened with my team.
16:35 >> Okay.
16:36 >> We would have a challenge.
16:37 Whoever loses the most weight, they get a little bonus.
16:43 >> Okay.
16:44 >> Who won most of the time?
16:47 >> Chris.
16:48 >> He had most to lose.
16:49 Come on, Chris.
16:50 He had the advantage.
16:51 My man.
16:52 Shout out to our boy Chris.
16:53 >> Chris, my brother.
16:54 >> Is that Chris on line one?
16:55 He's going to hit me on Twitter.
16:56 >> Oh, yeah.
16:57 >> All right.
16:58 Drac Ruben Villa, a man who is on a mission to earn another world title shot.
17:18 And he knows that maybe being a cute fighter wasn't enough.
17:24 And I like this version of Villa because he's using all his attributes inside the ring.
17:30 Sometimes a boxer becomes too enamored with that style, much like punchers get enamored
17:35 with that one punch shot.
17:37 And when you can put it all together like Villa's doing tonight against a tough fighter
17:41 like Valdez, it's fun to watch.
17:42 >> I have to agree with you 100%.
17:45 You know, you got to be able to test your limits.
17:47 You got to know what you got to do.
17:48 You got to know what your downfalls are, you know, throughout your career.
17:52 And then you got to change some things.
17:54 And that's what you're seeing from Villa.
17:55 He's changed some things.
17:57 He was a fleet-footed boxer at one point.
18:00 Not sitting down, not willing to exchange, didn't want to get hit.
18:04 But you got to get comfortable in the trenches, and you got to do that in the gym.
18:07 That's where it starts, inside the gym.
18:09 >> You know, Tim, we always talk about that loss taught me more than anything.
18:13 That Navarrete fight, making it so close, yeah, turned him into a different fighter.
18:17 >> Absolutely.
18:18 >> You know, you can take a shot in that resiliency of a Navarrete.
18:21 Come on, man, that should give you the confidence to be able to stand in the trenches with anybody.
18:26 >> Absolutely.
18:27 >> Valdez got off to a great start, and then Villa's skill starting to show here.
18:35 As we're in round number five, nice combination from Valdez as Villa missed.
18:41 >> And those are effective punches right there that are landing.
18:43 Those are key punches that the judges are looking for when they're judging fights.
18:48 >> Effective punching.
18:50 What type of response are you getting from the opponent any time you land something?
18:58 >> And you talk about effective punches.
19:01 He punches on the arms, he punches in the chest.
19:04 Villa just lets his hands go and stomps his opponents in his tracks.
19:10 >> Ooh, nice left, a straight shot from Villa.
19:17 Villa's also trying to answer, but he's going to open himself up.
19:20 >> Good shots right there, good return fire from Valdez.
19:29 And the reason why he was able to do that, because Villa stopped moving in and out.
19:32 When he was moving in and out, he was changing his distance, he was coming in with combinations
19:35 and getting back out.
19:36 Then Villa decided to stand still for a split second, and Valdez noticed that and came with
19:41 his offense.
19:42 >> This is a nice exchange here at the end of round number five.
19:51 Who can put a punctuation mark on it?
19:54 And it's Ruben "Drac" Villa who seals that round.
19:58 All right, let's send it up to our very own Mark Kriegel, as mom celebrates here at ringside.
20:05 >> What's up, fellas?
20:06 You know, Villa says, "I want to have a backyard for my daughter to grow up in."
20:11 On the way over here, I flew up with the guys from his corner.
20:14 They said, "What do you think?
20:15 What do you think we should do?"
20:16 I said, "I think you should put the name Venado Lopez on your trunks.
20:20 That's the biggest money fight for you right now."
20:23 I mean, look where this night is headed.
20:25 This is a kid with a lot of skill, a great story.
20:28 I'd love to see a rematch, provided he gets through Joanne.
20:31 I'd love to see him fight the winner of that fight.
20:33 >> So you want him to follow the Floyd-Flash-Lodea-Butcher-Somebody-Another-Man name, unless he's deceased, on your shorts?
20:41 >> You don't do that.
20:42 Now you ain't no free advertising.
20:43 Uh-uh.
20:44 It's about me, baby.
20:45 You know what I'm saying?
20:47 So I disagree with you, my man, Mr. Mark Kriegel.
20:51 Don't do that, Villa.
20:52 He don't need that.
20:53 >> So don't put NUA and Fulton on your trunks like Floyd Diaz did.
20:54 >> I mean, look, man, you know, look, I like Lil Floyd.
20:55 I like Lil Diaz.
20:56 >> Cashflow?
20:57 >> Yeah, Cashflow.
20:58 I like him, man, you know.
20:59 I can't wait to see him come back.
21:00 He's been out of the ring for some time.
21:01 >> Hey, Timmy.
21:02 Timmy.
21:03 >> Yeah?
21:04 >> You know, I'm not gonna lie.
21:05 I'm not gonna lie.
21:06 I can't wait to see him come back.
21:07 He's been out of the ring for some time.
21:08 >> Hey, Timmy.
21:09 Timmy.
21:10 >> Yeah?
21:11 >> A guy like this trying to get a fight, what's the best fight for him?
21:15 He's already beaten Lopez.
21:16 Lopez is the main event tonight.
21:18 He's gotta let the world know, hey, this guy is so big and bad at the top of the card tonight,
21:23 I already beat him.
21:25 That's survival in this game.
21:27 >> The world already knows.
21:30 What he needs to do is he needs to let the promoter know.
21:33 That's what he needs to do.
21:34 Let him know.
21:35 He may have a plan for Villa already.
21:38 >> This is his second fight of a three-fight contract with top rank.
21:42 And Villa, imagine, he got the contract after losing to Navarrete and winning another fight.
21:50 So they see something in this young man.
21:53 And so do we.
21:54 >> Yes.
21:55 He's definitely a world championship material.
21:57 There's no doubt about it.
22:02 >> You hear Villa's mom still yelling, come on, boy.
22:05 Get that body.
22:06 >> That's a good uppercut right there from Villa throwing the uppercut himself.
22:11 Oh, nice head control after.
22:13 Missed the shot.
22:14 Head control just to get his man off of balance.
22:30 >> Nice combinations.
22:31 >> Boy, this is a nip and tuck type of fight.
22:42 I mean, both guys are having their moments in there.
22:45 This is a tough fight to score.
22:49 >> It's like I was saying at the end of that fifth round.
22:52 Who's going to put a punctuation mark on this round?
22:54 Maybe take it.
22:55 And it was Villa at the end with that three-punch flurry.
23:01 There are a lot of close rounds here.
23:03 The ring generalship, though, of Villa, the way he's controlling the action.
23:06 But there you see that right hand from Valdez.
23:09 He's still dangerous in there.
23:13 >> But that's not the number one criteria that the judges look for.
23:17 The number one criteria what the judges look for is effective punching.
23:23 That's what they look for.
23:24 95 or 98% of fights are judged on that alone.
23:29 >> Nice three-punch flurry.
23:33 Part of it ended up on the gloves of Valdez, but it was shots that landed as well.
23:46 Valdez trained by Javier Capetillo out of SoCal.
23:49 You see that straight right hand lands again on the chin of Villa.
23:53 >> But you know why that right hand is landing?
23:56 Because Villa standing still.
24:00 Good combination right there.
24:02 >> Later on tonight, we're going to see Emiliano "El General" Fernando Vargas step into this
24:09 ring.
24:10 And when you look at this young man, he's got all the talent, all the ability, and he's
24:16 got great sparring in Vegas, including tonight's main event champion, Luis Alberto "El Venado"
24:22 López.
24:23 >> I've had the opportunity to spar Venado, a high-level puncher, a high-level fighter.
24:28 You know, those sparrings for me only elevate my game.
24:30 It makes me ready for fights like this, and hopefully one day I'll be able to be a main
24:35 event just like Venado is.
24:36 He is a smart fighter.
24:38 I think he's going to take his time.
24:40 His punching power is really going to be the main factor.
24:43 I truly believe that one of the hardest punchers I've been in the ring with ever.
24:46 It was 16-ounce gloves, so I think he'll remain champ.
24:50 >> That's high praise from that young man, speaking about the hardest puncher he's ever
24:57 been in the ring with.
24:59 And he's walking through this hallway, and this is the building where he took his first
25:04 steps as an 11-month-old kid, when his father, Fernando "El Feroz" Vargas, sold out this
25:11 building against Raymond Joval.
25:14 And now he's walking in, and he will be opening up our ESPN card, starting at 10 Eastern,
25:21 9 Central, 7 Pacific.
25:23 So life goes full circle for Emiliano Fernando Vargas.
25:29 >> Boy, look like a doll, don't he?
25:30 Don't he look like a doll?
25:31 >> Kin?
25:32 >> Yeah, I'm serious.
25:33 I mean, don't let the looks fool you.
25:36 The man can fight.
25:37 The young man can fight.
25:39 >> You talk about some people have a last name, and they write it till they can go.
25:47 This young man has the last name, he's got the guts of his father, and he's got the skills
25:53 to back it up.
25:54 >> But the craziest thing was listening to him in the fighter meetings.
25:59 The maturity, the mindset that this young man has.
26:05 And when I say he has the cheat code, I'm not just referring to the skill set that he
26:09 has inside the ring.
26:10 What I'm referring to is that you learn from others' mistakes.
26:16 So he's had his father that has lived it, has walked through this ring, has walked in
26:20 these arenas.
26:21 He's seen that as a young man.
26:23 He has his father that can talk to him, elaborate to him what he should and shouldn't do.
26:28 That is so much, I mean, that is so important, man.
26:31 His professionalism, I will tell you, is at top notch, and his mentality is un-freaking-believable
26:38 for a young age.
26:39 >> Absolutely, well said.
26:40 All right, we're halfway through this round, number seven of a scheduled eight-round fight,
26:46 and Villa and Valdez continue to trade inside the ring.
26:50 But Tim, it's not just the let's rock 'em, sock 'em robot.
26:53 There's so much skill involved with finding range and using angles between Valdez and
26:58 Villa.
26:59 >> Yeah, but when both guys are in equal position, it's anyone's fight at the end of the day.
27:03 But once Villa steps out of range at times, he'll land his offense, and then when he sits
27:07 there a little bit too long like that, you know, he's looking to land offense off of
27:11 angles, you know, he gives Valdez problems.
27:13 He gives him trouble.
27:15 But Valdez is, he's counting himself very well during this fight.
27:18 He's letting his hands go at the right moments.
27:20 Anytime he sees Villa standing still in front, he's working at his offense as well.
27:28 >> Villa's styling and profiling here in round number seven as Valdez--
27:35 >> See, just like that.
27:36 >> --does his uppercut.
27:37 >> And when did he do it?
27:39 When Villa stood still, just for a moment.
27:44 >> Trading punches here in the center of the ring are Villa and Valdez, getting the crowd
27:48 excited in Corpus Christi as Valdez lands a two-punch flurry, body shot from Villa.
27:55 >> See, I like offensive-minded, offensive-minded counterpunches.
27:59 >> Oh!
28:00 That set up a shot like that.
28:03 The left hook and then a short right from Villa.
28:05 >> Wow.
28:06 >> That punch right there, one of the round, no doubt about it.
28:15 No doubt about it.
28:16 >> All right, hey, let me talk.
28:20 Double jab, come on.
28:22 Double jab, just one, two, right down the middle, okay?
28:25 >> Oh, my goodness.
28:26 Look at this left hand right here.
28:27 Look at this left hand right here.
28:29 My God.
28:30 See, that's a professional right there.
28:33 Check out.
28:34 >> He's done a jab, and he still let his left hand go.
28:37 He got hit with a jab also.
28:39 Shot his jab, got hit with a jab from Valdez, but he still was able to release his left
28:44 hand.
28:45 That's being a complete pro right there.
28:46 >> You sit on that left hand, okay?
28:47 Good head movement.
28:48 >> Javier Capetero says, "You just got to throw punches wherever they land.
28:55 It doesn't matter, but you got to throw them hard."
28:58 >> Just throw punches.
29:00 >> You got to throw them hard, doesn't matter where they land as long as they land, Tim.
29:05 >> What a coach.
29:07 >> Well, I mean, he probably sees that he needs a knockout here to come away with a
29:13 victory.
29:14 >> I don't know.
29:15 I don't know if he needs a knockout or not, man.
29:16 I'm not sitting there.
29:17 It's hard to commentate and score a fight, but it's going back and forth.
29:20 This has been a great fight.
29:23 I think that Valdez has had his moments, and I think Villa has probably had a little bit
29:26 more moments, but I'll tell you this.
29:29 This wasn't easy.
29:32 This was not easy for Villa.
29:33 >> Yeah, man, I'd love to see Valdez again because he's rugged, but not in a bad way.
29:41 He's just strong, and he comes forward.
29:44 He takes a good shot, and when he lands, you can feel the punches, too.
29:48 >> Yes.
29:49 Villa, right now, the boxing skills are taking over right now for Villa.
29:55 That's what's taking over, the distance, recognizing the distance, getting his shots off, and then
29:59 getting out of harm's way.
30:18 >> Nice uppercut from Villa, two-punch combination from Valdez.
30:21 Ooh, nice right from Valdez.
30:24 >> Yeah, Villa, occasionally, he stands straight up.
30:27 He pulls right in range for the right hand.
30:30 So when he pulls up, he's right at mid-range, and he pulls up, and he goes slightly to his
30:35 left, which is in line for the right hand.
30:40 >> If you purposely move to that side and defend yourself, it's fine.
30:44 If you happen to fall towards that side and leave yourself open for a Valdez right hand,
30:48 that's a different story.
30:49 >> Well, this is the thing.
30:50 The thing is that it's called a 45-degree angle where you go on.
30:54 You go on a 45-degree angle to loop that right hand or evade that right hand and then be
30:59 able to counter.
31:00 Now, if you're a little bit in between that 45, now you're in line for the right hand.
31:04 So it's a judgment call, you know, for the young Villa, but when he's all the way out
31:09 in range, it's okay to move to your left or right.
31:12 That's fine.
31:13 >> Who would have thought that Timothy Bradley would be talking about compasses, protractors,
31:18 and angles?
31:19 My man.
31:21 Your geometry teacher would be so proud.
31:23 >> So proud, man.
31:24 I failed geometry.
31:25 I'm not going to lie to you.
31:26 Sorry, folks.
31:27 I failed it.
31:28 Yep, I sure did.
31:29 >> Hey, but you didn't fail it in the ring.
31:31 >> No.
31:32 >> You knew those angles.
31:33 >> No, not at all.
31:34 Well, yeah, I did know those angles for sure.
31:41 >> Valdez closing strong here in the last 30 seconds of the eighth round.
31:44 Let's see what answer Villa has for him.
31:47 >> Valdez is slowed down.
31:48 He's slowed down.
31:49 He's punching that air now.
31:50 And when you punch that air, you get gassed a lot more quicker than when you're landing
31:54 shots.
31:55 You get gassed.
31:56 And you see Valdez reaching out now.
31:57 He's exhausted.
31:58 >> In this final round.
31:59 >> He's telling me to close some more.
32:00 >> Final 10 seconds of a very entertaining fight here between Ruben Villa and Brandon
32:09 Valdez.
32:10 Colombia and Central California.
32:11 They both stand in the center of the ring once again congratulating each other on a
32:19 good fight.
32:20 There is Mrs. Villa, Ruben's mother, who is happy with her son's performance.
32:26 She should be.
32:27 >> Oh, yeah.
32:28 She sure is.
32:29 >> Let's take a look at some of the best action that we saw between Villa and Valdez here
32:34 over these last eight rounds.
32:35 >> Yeah, I thought this was a solid performance from both guys, actually.
32:38 I think that, you know, Valdez showed up.
32:41 He showed up.
32:42 He didn't come here for a paycheck.
32:43 He came to win.
32:44 And early on, he was landing a sneaky left uppercut.
32:47 Villa made the adjustment, and he was able to get away from it.
32:51 But some right hands were landing over the top.
32:53 Villa, again, made the adjustment.
32:54 Villa, I just think that his boxing skills, he's a tremendous boxer.
32:58 Great footwork, in and out movement.
33:00 Kind of frustrated.
33:01 I would say frustrated, Valdez, towards the back end of the fight.
33:03 And I would say this.
33:04 It was a great match for him, a young man coming back.
33:08 You know, I'm happy that he's had his baby now.
33:10 It's going to give him a little bit more inspiration.
33:12 You know, his family's here.
33:14 We're going to see what the judges think.
33:16 We're going to see what the judges thought, you know, won this bout.
33:19 But I thought all in all, it was a great fight for the fans at home.
33:23 Excellent start from Brandon Valdez.
33:25 Earned Villa's respect.
33:26 And then Villa's skill really took over midway through the fight.
33:30 Let's send it up to a very skilled man, Mark Chinook, with the judges' decision.
33:34 Ladies and gentlemen, after eight rounds here inside American Bank Center in Corpus Christi,
33:39 Texas, we go to the judges' scorecards for the official decision.
33:43 Nathan Cantu, Joel Elizondo, and Hector Gonzalez all have the bout 78-74 for your winner by
33:53 unanimous decision.
33:57 Ruben "Drac Villalobos"!
34:03 Mom is happy.
34:04 That means Dad's going to be happy.
34:05 That means Ruben's going to be happy.
34:08 That means that his new daughter, Amaya Celine, is going to be very happy.
34:13 as is his girlfriend Celeste.
34:15 There it is!