Salinas native returns to the ring on as he continues to chase a world title

SALINAS, Calif. (KION-TV)- A Salinas boxing star will return to the squared circle on Saturday night in Corpus Christi, Texas.

Ruben Villa, (21-1, 7 KO's) will look to get one win closer to his second World Title shot as he will take on Cristian Cruz Chacon, (22-6-1, 11 KO's) in a 126 pound showdown at the American Bank Center.

"Drac," was born and raised in the Salad Bowl Capital of the World and graduated from Alvarez High School in 2016.

Villa is a two-time U.S. National Golden Gloves Champion.

Villa will look to get another shot at the featherweight crown. In Oct. 2020, Villa lost his only professional fight via unanimous decision to Emanuel Navarette in Las Vegas.

Villa accepted that WBO Featherweight Title Fight on short notice.

Since that loss, Villa has won two straight fights and is hungry for another title shot.

The motivation for Villa is simple, he wants to win the title for the town that has given him so much.

"As far as the field workers, you could go outside and see someone working anytime of the day no matter the weather," Villa said. "It just a little pride on my back when I go out and fight for Salinas when they say my name coming out of Salinas, California just kind of gives me something to fight for."

His fight will be streamed on ESPN+ on Saturday night. He is currently ranked the seventh best featherweight in the world according to the World Boxing Organization.