Up-and-comer Villa wants Stevenson-Gonzales winner

WBO Youth champion Ruben Villa IV has big fight aspirations.

Villa (16-0, 5 KO's) a heralded amateur from Salinas, California, who amassed an amateur record of 166-17 faces fellow unbeaten fighter Jose Vivas (17-0, 9 KO's), of Mexico, on Saturday at La Hacienda Event Center in Midland, Texas.

"Vivas is an aggressive fighter," Villa said. "I know I just have to be smart and execute to be successful on fight night."

Villa and Vivas have sparred in the past, but the 22-year-old believes his superior boxing ability will make the difference on fight night.

"I beat a lot of prospects and up-and-comers [in the amateurs]," Villa continued. "As a professional, I am just learning each fight. The more rounds I get, the more experience I get -- is better."

But Villa is not just a man who takes pride in his abilities, but he also gives himself credit for being willing to take chances. His fuel is the incessant drive of wanting to be great, not just a world champion, but an all-time great fighter.

When asked if he would be willing to face the winner of the upcoming vacant 126-pound world title fight between unbeaten contenders Shakur Stevenson and Joet Gonzalez, Villa did not hesitate.

"For sure [I would fight the winner]," Villa said. "The 126-division is stacked with competition. I would love to get in the ring with those guys. Hopefully, we get a title shot in the next year or so.

Villa, who is ranked No. 8 by the WBO, made his national television debut in January against Ruben Cervera in the co-featured bout of ShoBox: The New Generation. He won the fight by unanimous decision.