By Adrian Stewart Co

Negrense boxer Arthur Villanueva was unsuccessful in his bid for the World Boxing Council (WBC) bantamweight title after falling via seventh round technical knockout to WBC champion Nordine Oubaali of France last Saturday at the Barys Arena in Nur-Sultan, Kazakhstan.
Oubaali rocked Villanueva from the start with his steady and straight left hand. The Bago City native was further stunned several times in rounds three and four but managed to press forward each time. The Frenchman went on to intensify his attack, connecting with a straight left and right hook, sending his challenger to the canvas. While Villanueva managed to beat the knockout count, he spent the rest of the round fighting behind an earmuff defense.
The Negrense fighter eventually retired from the corner just before the seventh round.
The loss was his third world title defeat after earlier losing to former International Boxing Federation super flyweight champion McJoe Arroyo and former World Boxing Organization bantamweight title holder Zolani Tete.
Villanueva dropped to 32-4-1 win-loss-draw record, including 18 stoppage wins; while Oubaali extended his unblemished 16-0-0 record, with 12 knockout wins./ASC, WDJ