Page 163 - May 2018 - December 2018 Issue

PANCHO VILLA (August 1, 1901-July 14, 1925)

Villa who stood only 5 feet and 1 inch tall and never
weighed more than 114 pounds, despite the racial
discrimination of that time, rose from obscurity to
become the first Asian to win the World Flyweight
Championship in 1923, earning the reputation in some
quarters as one of the greatest Flyweight boxers in
history. He was never knocked out in his entire boxing
career.

Born Francisco Guilledo on the island of Panay in the
Philippines, Villa often fought with other boys in his
village. His reputation with his fists brought him to the
attention of promoter Frank Churchill in Manila.
Impressed with the then-80-pound fighter, Churchill
began handling Villa and, reportedly, named him after
the famous Mexican bandit. Villa fought exclusively in
the Philippines from 1919 through April 1922, often
facing much larger men. In that time, he lost only
three fights and captured two Filipino titles. In 1922,
Churchill took Villa to the United States. The young
Filipino fought two no-decision bouts in New Jersey,
losing-according to the newspapers-to Abe Goldstein
and Frankie Genaro. The America press and public
were at first slow to take notice of Villa. Villa returned
to the United States to prepare for his next match, a
non-title fight against Jimmy McLarnin scheduled for
July 4, 1925, at Ewing Field in San Francisco.

In the days leading to the fight, Villa’s face became
swollen due to an ulcerated tooth. According to
contemporary newspaper accounts, on the morning
of the fight, Villa went to a dentist to have the tooth
extracted. Despite the pain and swelling, Villa insisted
on going ahead with the fight with McLarnin. Villa
ended up spending most of the fight using one hand
to protect his afflicted face. Given these
circumstances, Villa naturally lost, though he
managed to stay the distance. It was to be Villa’s last
fight. Two or three days after the McLarnin fight, he
had three more teeth extracted after an infection was
discovered. Against his dentist’s prescription of bed
rest, Villa spent the next few days carousing with
friends. His condition worsened, and by July 13, 1925,
he had to be rushed to the hospital. It was discovered
that the infection had spread to his throat, resulting in
Ludwig’s angina. Villa was rushed into surgery, but he
lapsed into a coma while on the table and died the
following day, July 14, 1925. Tragically, his death
occurred only 17 days before his 24th birthday. His
remains were returned to Manila, and in August 1925,
he was buried at Manila North Cemetery.

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