Roiman Villa is a big believer of perseverance. Why not? It has served him well.

The 30-year-old welterweight contender was behind on all three scorecards against Rashidi Ellis going into the 12^th and final round when he put Ellis down twice to pull out a majority decision victory in January.

The break-through win over a notable foe set up an even bigger fight: He is scheduled to face Jaron Ennis on Saturday night at Boardwalk Hall in Atlantic City, New Jersey.

“You gotta keep pushing, especially against the more tactical, savvy finesse fighters,” he told Boxing Junkie through a translator. “If you let them dance around, it will drive you crazy. If you keep pressing, really go after them, you’ll break through at some point.

“That was thrilling,” he added, referring to the pivotal 12^th round. “It’s in the past, though. I’m focused now on the opportunity coming up.”

That would his meeting with Ennis, one of the most-feared up-and-coming fighters regardless of division.

Villa (26-1, 24 KOs) understands that Ennis (30-0, 27 KOs) brings more to the table than Ellis did, most notably his ability to end any fight in an instant. And the Venezuelan will be fighting on the biggest stage of his career, in the main event on Showtime.

If Villa is fazed, he certainly doesn’t show it.

He was the underdog in his last two fights, against Janelson Bocachica in September and Ellis four months later. He easily outpointed Bocachica in an eight-rounder before delivering the late rally against Ellis.

Besides, while he has never faced anyone like Ennis, Villa, also a big puncher, believes he will be Ennis’ toughest challenge. He added that he doesn’t pay much attention to opponents, even this one.

And the nationwide audience? His focus is setting himself up to win, nothing else.

“I think I’m a different opponent than anyone he’s seen,” Villa said. “I really haven’t seen any of his fights, just a few videos. I don’t like to focus on my opponent; I like to focus on myself. No matter who it is I have to go out there and show something he hasn’t seen yet.”

And he doesn’t care what people say or think.

“People can say what they want,” he said. “I know I can prove people wrong once again. … I have to take it step by step. And hopefully I can keep going up the ladder and reach the top. … Look at Manny Pacquiao. People used to think that he was going to lose when he came out and he built a reputation as one of the greatest ever. …

“He’s kind of an inspiration to me. That’s how it goes for most anybody. One day you may get noticed, the other you can be a star.”

[lawrence-related id=35027,37988,35030]

Roiman Villa is a big believer of perseverance. Why not? It has served him well.

The 30-year-old welterweight contender was behind on all three scorecards against Rashidi Ellis going into the 12^th and final round when he put Ellis down twice to pull out a majority decision victory in January.

The break-through win over a notable foe set up an even bigger fight: He is scheduled to face Jaron Ennis on Saturday night at Boardwalk Hall in Atlantic City, New Jersey.

“You gotta keep pushing, especially against the more tactical, savvy finesse fighters,” he told Boxing Junkie through a translator. “If you let them dance around, it will drive you crazy. If you keep pressing, really go after them, you’ll break through at some point.

“That was thrilling,” he added, referring to the pivotal 12^th round. “It’s in the past, though. I’m focused now on the opportunity coming up.”

That would his meeting with Ennis, one of the most-feared up-and-coming fighters regardless of division.

Villa (26-1, 24 KOs) understands that Ennis (30-0, 27 KOs) brings more to the table than Ellis did, most notably his ability to end any fight in an instant. And the Venezuelan will be fighting on the biggest stage of his career, in the main event on Showtime.

If Villa is fazed, he certainly doesn’t show it.

He was the underdog in his last two fights, against Janelson Bocachica in September and Ellis four months later. He easily outpointed Bocachica in an eight-rounder before delivering the late rally against Ellis.

Besides, while he has never faced anyone like Ennis, Villa, also a big puncher, believes he will be Ennis’ toughest challenge. He added that he doesn’t pay much attention to opponents, even this one.

And the nationwide audience? His focus is setting himself up to win, nothing else.

“I think I’m a different opponent than anyone he’s seen,” Villa said. “I really haven’t seen any of his fights, just a few videos. I don’t like to focus on my opponent; I like to focus on myself. No matter who it is I have to go out there and show something he hasn’t seen yet.”

And he doesn’t care what people say or think.

“People can say what they want,” he said. “I know I can prove people wrong once again. … I have to take it step by step. And hopefully I can keep going up the ladder and reach the top. … Look at Manny Pacquiao. People used to think that he was going to lose when he came out and he built a reputation as one of the greatest ever. …

“He’s kind of an inspiration to me. That’s how it goes for most anybody. One day you may get noticed, the other you can be a star.”

[lawrence-related id=35027,37988,35030]