The Associated Press has named Pancho Villa the Best Flyweight of the Century. Villa, nee Francisco Guilledo of Iloilo, won the World Flyweight Title in 1923 over legend Jimmy Wilde. Being the first Filipino World title holder, he also brought the first World title fight to the Philippines, held in Manila in 1925. His career was cut short in 1925 following a loss to Jimmy McLarnin, after which Villa died as a direct result of blood poisoning after neglecting to care for his infected teeth. Pancho was a tenacious fighter who was never knocked out during his career even against opponents who were much larger than he was.
Pancho Villa was the first in a long list of outstanding Filipino pugilists and his example serves a legacy to Pinoy boxers now and for generations to come.
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