Dozens come out to watch Salinas native Ruben Villa fight for title

MONTEREY, Calif. (KION) It was a highly anticipated match featuring a locally-grown Salinas native boxer going for the WBO Featherweight World Title on Friday.

The undefeated Ruben Villa taking on Mexican boxer Emanuel Navarrete. Dozens on the Central Coast gathered at the Monterey County Fairgrounds to watch the fight on the big screen.

It was not the result many were hoping for, however. Villa went the distance, but ultimately lost the fight. But that isn't to say he didn't score a win for representing the Central Coast on boxing's biggest stage in Las Vegas.

The excitement and anticipation couldn't be more palpable at the fairgrounds in Monterey on Friday. Dozens came out in their cars for a COVID-19 safety-abiding watch party for pride-of-Salinas boxer Ruben Villa and his attempt at a world title.

"Right now, it's a little crazy. I didn't think he was going to get knocked down by the upper cut the first round," said Robert Vargas, a Salinas resident. "Right now, he's looking a little scared, so he just has to man up. He's got it, he's gotta get his head in the game right now."

Plenty sat on their cars and brought their own lawn chairs to watch the fight, which was broadcasted live on ESPN from Las Vegas.

All were here to support Villa, who has had a sterling rise in fame for his tenacious fighting style and his unabashed pride for his hometown.

"From the moment of about two or three weeks ago when we really started to publicize this, the support has been amazing from everybody in the community. And tonight shows," said Ryan Sanchez, an organizer of the watch party event.

"Salinas native, so you know, go for the Salinas team," said Vargas.

An Alvarez High School graduate, Villa is very involved in the community back home. He has volunteered with several local charities, collecting items for homeless children. He also sponsors after-school fitness programs.

Villa's grandparents were agricultural workers who worked the strawberry fields in Salinas. Those roots helped build his character.

"Very nice kid, humble, does a lot of community work," said Sanchez. "You know, he's one of us. He's this kid who's worked his butt off in the boxing world."

There was a shoutout to Monterey County Supervisor Luis Alejo's father battling cancer during the fight: the words "Keep Fighting Tom" blazoned on Villa's shorts.

Alejo did say on Twitter before the fight that his father unfortunately passed away from cancer that Friday night.