Bay Area Professor and Artist Celebrate Filipino Boxer Pancho Villa in New Book

Famed Filipino pugilist Manny Pacquiao might be the most recognized fighter from the archipelago nation, clinching world titles across eight disparate weight divisions and amassing a dozen world championships in total.

Yet, preceding the era of Pacquiao, Francisco "Pancho Villa" Guilledo was paving the way for Filipino fighters on the international stage as the first from the Philippines to clinch a world title, a feat he achieved in 1923.

For over a decade and a half, Joe Aquilizan, a Bay Area artist and boxing aficionado, has delved into his heritage, exploring its ties to boxing by assembling an extensive array of Pancho Villa memorabilia and archival images.

"To me, these artifacts are invaluable," expressed Aquilizan. "I feel like I've become the guardian of this significant collection."

The carefully curated collection offers a vivid portrayal of Pancho Villa's ascension to stardom within the American boxing scene.

"He revolutionized the sport," Aquilizan noted. "He melded speed with power in a pioneering way. Smaller fighters weren't known for their knockout power before him."

Throughout his professional journey, accounts suggest he secured 90 victories, faced eight defeats, logged four draws, and had two no-contests, with 22 wins by knockout. However, his crowning achievement was undeniably his 1923 knockout of Jimmy Wilde from Wales in New York, securing the World Flyweight Title.

"He earned immense respect during a time when racial bias was rampant in the 1920s," remarked Aquilizan. "This Asian, brown-skinned fighter demonstrated his significance to a global audience."

Dr. Bernard Remollino, a scholar specializing in Asian American and Pacific American History at San Joaquin Delta College, was thrilled to encounter Aquilizan and his impressive collection while working on his dissertation concerning Filipino boxers.

"I was completely awestruck, genuinely excited—it was palpable," shared Remollino. "Encountering these physical artifacts was like a window into Pancho Villa's world of the 1920s."

Inspired by their shared discovery, they resolved to chronicle the tale of this esteemed Filipino icon, culminating in the release of their book this past summer.

"It felt as though something bigger than ourselves was guiding us," reflected Remollino. "Pancho Villa's 1923 flyweight championship marked a pivotal moment—not just in sports history, but also in the chronicles of boxing and Filipino American heritage, exemplifying profound cultural and societal effects."

His achievements laid the groundwork for future Filipino boxing legends, such as Gabriel "Flash" Elorde, Ceferino Garcia, Small Montana, and, inevitably, Manny Pacquiao.

"In my opinion, Pancho Villa's influence surpasses even that of Manny Pacquiao," Aquilizan commented. "While Manny is among the greatest, Pancho was the trailblazer who paved the way."

"When we assess the historical trajectory of Filipino representation in professional boxing, Pancho Villa was truly a catalyst for imagination," added Remollino.

The promising career of Pancho Villa was tragically curtailed. After several title defenses, his final bout occurred on July 4, 1925, against Jimmy McLarnin in Emeryville. After a challenging experience with a tooth extraction, a severe infection developed, leading to his untimely death ten days later at just 24 years old.

While their publication offers an educational dive into Pancho Villa's significant legacy, both Aquilizan and Remollino acknowledge a deeper purpose in honoring their cultural heritage.

"We must preserve our narratives," Aquilizan expressed. "I want to ensure our community appreciates this rich history, sharing these treasures rather than keeping them hidden."

Prospective viewers will have the chance to explore Aquilizan's collection more widely, as it is set to be showcased at the Smithsonian in Washington D.C., debuting this November.