PANCHO VILLA: The Filipino Legend ~ First World Boxing Champion from the Philippines
Born Francisco Guilledo in Iloilo City, Philippines in 1901, he rose from humble beginnings to become one of the greatest Flyweight Champions in history.
As Pancho Villa, he began his professional boxing career in Manila in 1919, winning the Flyweight Championship of the Orient in his second year.
Described as a two-fisted brawler who packed knockout power in either hand, Pancho Villa dominated his era in the lighter weight classes.
In search of fame and fortune, Villa came to America in 1922 by special invitation from legendary boxing promoter George “Tex” Rickard. The following year Villa captured the Flyweight Championship of America with a win over Johnny Buff.
In 1923, Villa won the Flyweight Championship of the World with a knockout win over Jimmy Wilde of Wales. Villa defended his title four times over the next two years before dying from blood poisoning at the age of twenty-three.
Villa had a professional record of 75-5-4. (25 KOs and 20 ND) Besides his wins over Johnny Buff and Jimmy Wilde, Villa defeated the best in his class including Abe Goldstein, Bud Taylor, Benny Schwartz, Georgie Marks and Clever Sencio.
Pancho Villa was inducted in to the Boxing Hall of Fame in 1994 and in 2002, Ring Magazine voted Pancho Villa one of the “80 Greatest Fighters of the Last 80 Years.”
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