Guest Appearance at Burbank Boxing Club
New WBO Latino Super Flyweight Champion Matthew “Mantequilla” Villanueva made a special guest appearance at the Burbank Boxing Club (BBC) where he worked out with the boys and girls, men and women of the amateur boxing club. Here’s an exclusive look at the fighter visiting the Southland gym.
The boxer was invited by BBC founder and Head Coach Steve Harpst to surprise the group who were working out at the Burbank Community YMCA. The boxing trainer has known Matt, his brother Jesse Villanueva (also a pro fighter) and the boys’ father Joaquin for years. When Jesse was still an amateur, he traveled with Harpst and Team L.A. to compete in international and statewide boxing shows. So after the new champ won his belt on June 21 in Mexico City, Harpst and the Villanueva family talked about having Matt come to the amateur club to inspire the kids and teens. “This is a fun reunion with Matt. I’m really proud of him,” Steve said. “His brother Jesse went with us to Canada and Arizona; these two brothers are both great guys.”
Also joining in the festivities were Yvette Herrera (YMCA Director of Philanthropy), football’s Martin Bacon (Burbank High School’s Defensive Coordinator) and Hollywood producer/editor Pete Demirai. The Y is known for their strong community atmosphere and not only did Yvette Herrera offer Matt a warm welcome, she and Coach Bacon also worked out with the club.
Villanueva (who trains with Shadeed Suluki in the San Fernando Valley) is used to working alongside his fellow pro boxers and champs. But on this night, Matt got a chance to relive his amateur days as he worked out with the youth. The slugger shadow boxed, jumped robe and finished off the session with abs, push ups and stretching. During a break in the action, there was also a lively Q&A chat with the prizefighter and the students.
The Cuban-Puerto Rican fighter spoke about going to Mexico to fight the hometown boxer Julian Rivera in their match for the vacant WBO strap. He said it was a tough match and he felt like the underdog fighting in Rivera’s Mexico City. Matt won by unanimous decision but with respect for his rival, he says, “It was a tough fight!” Now the super flyweight will defend 
his title in the next few months, but no official bout has been made. Promoted by Florida’s All Star Boxing, the puncher (10-0-1, 8 KOs) first turned pro in 2010. I was there to witness his professional debut and saw his opponent being carried off in a stretcher.
This kid can crack and now he’s got a regional belt to show for all his hard work through the years. Matt got a relatively late start in boxing, first lacing up at age 15. But he wasn’t exactly resting on his laurels. He told the large group assembled in the gym about his longtime love of sports. Before he became a fighter, he also practiced martial arts and played baseball, soccer, track and field and kickboxing.
But it was his passion for pugilism that captured his full attention. Fighting at 115, the lanky 26-year-old appears larger in frame. He says he will move up to 118 eventually.
During his meet-and-greet with the young students, Matt told the kids he had 40 amateur bouts and is a three-time Desert Showdown champ. The children, teens and adults had a lot of questions for the puncher; many were excited to see his burgundy, gold and blue championship belt up close. Villanueva had fun fielding questions from the crew.
“Who are your favorite fighters?” they asked.
“Robert Duran, Alexis Arguello and Mike Tyson,” Matt replied with a firm nod.
“What’s your style of boxing?”
“I like both boxing AND brawling!” the champ said with a laugh.
“What’s one your favorite punches?”
“I’d say left hook to the body,” he answered with a smile.
“What advice do you have for amateur boxers?”
“I think you should try and stay with the amateurs as long as you can,” he said, “and then try and make the Olympic team.”
After several questions, one small boy shyly raised his hand. “This isn’t really a question,” he said slowly while eyeing Matt’s shiny metal belt. “But…I just want to say that belt is COOL!”
The champ chuckled as the boxers all got to pose with photos and get autographs from the visitor. “He’s really fast!” the kids said, awed by having seen the pro shadowboxing.
The gym rat also spoke of his training and running three to six miles a day. He set a good example for the youngsters: During his appearance, he jumped rope with everyone, led the group in footwork and speed skills and made sure to finish working out till the very end of class. Matt also watched the female fighters do a boxing demo in the ring including mitt work with BBC Co-Trainer Maya Roseman.
After the hand wraps were off, Coach Steve and the Burbank Boxing Club gathered around to thank Villanueva for taking time to visit. There were also healthy snacks from Daphne’s California Greek and Island Boost Natural Energy Drinks for the new champ to enjoy. Harpst (who founded the boxing club in 1996) then took Matt through a tour of the Y facilities. As the WBO champ walked through various floors of the building, he continued to shake hands with new fans.
“Everyone really enjoyed meeting Matt,” the trainer said at the end of the night. “He’s great with the kids; they all said how much fun it was to work out with him.” In later years, Matt said he’d like to work with young boxers.
For now, the new champion will continue fighting for a shot at world titles.
Keep your eye on Matthew “Mantequilla” Villanueva as he punches his way to the top.
Photos by Michele Chong
