Ben Villaflor,,,,,, The WBA Super-Featherweight Champion - based in Hawaii Kind of a 'mystery fighter' as he fought exclusively in Hawaii during his prime career. While the WBA Super-Feathwerweight Champion from April 25, 1972 thru October 10, 1976 - There were several attempts to put Ben in the ring with; Featherweight Champions...............Ernesto Marcel, Alexis Arguello, Bobby Chacon and Ruben Olivares Super-Feathwerweight Champions....Ricardo Arrendondo and Alfredo Escalera Lightweight Champions...................Roberto Duran, Ishimatsu 'Guts' Suzuki and Esteban De Jesus This content is protected
Iron chin and heavy handed but a humongous super feather for his time. Should've had some bigger fights, look forward to hearing why they might not have come off.
Ben Villaflor,,,,,,, A very powerful southpaw who was compact at 5' 6", and very physical. Though physical, was a perfect gentleman in the ring, and may have been one the most respectul to his opponents. Very quick with his short punches, and deadly accurate. Good power and slight above-average average hand speed. Very good defense, and a certified and stamped 'steel chin'. Fighters who gave him problems; Only a 67' reach, so he had some difficulty with tall boxers who moved. This content is protected
Flea Man, After Ben Villaflor lost his WBA Super-Featherweight Championship to Samuel Serrano in Puerto Rico on October 16, 1976 - There was 'chit-chat' of getting Ben Villaflor to come back in 1977 - and take on Ruben Olivares and Bobby Chacon in 1977, in over-the-weight Super-Featherweight bouts at (132 lbs.) Ben was only age 24, and carried a record of 56-6-6 (31 KO's). Not sure if it was in Hawaii or at The Olympic Auditorium in Los Angeles. Ben, would have 'man-handled' either of them. Probably stopping the shopworn Ruben Olivares in '5'. And most likely stopping the 'Schoolboy' late in the bout.
Noggin,,,,,,, Ben Villaflor had a unique Championship Bout record. Ben posted a record of 5-2-3 in Championship Bouts, and a record of 3-2-3 in Title Defenses. Had he defeated Samuel Serrano in Puerto Rico in October 1976 - Ben would have fought Esteban De Jesus next, for the WBC Lightweight Championship. But, he was out-pointed by Sammy. He then retired. He was only one month shy of age 25.
Flea, I believe Ben Villaflor hurt his hands in his 'first bout' with Samuel Serrano in April 1976 in Hawaii. He couldn't fight for 6-months, before he gave Sammy a rematch in October 1976.
Villaflor was like a little animal in the ring. Looked like one too with that wild hair of his. Talented fighter that should have done more with his career, especially with the attributes he possessed.
