5’7 Elizabeth “The Pearl” Villarreal was
born September 1, 1975, in Watertown, New York. She now lives and
trains in San Antonio, Texas. She is managed by Tony Ayala Sr and
fights as a featherweight.
Villarreal began boxing as an amateur in September of 2001. She had
a total of 12 fights as an amateur. She won the San Antonio Regional
Golden Gloves in 2004 in the 145 pound weight class. She became
interested in the sport after taking her oldest son to train and
happened to see two other females sparring.
Villarreal made her pro
debut on September 10, 2005 at the Henry B Gonzales Convention
Center in San Antonio, Texas. Villarreal weighed in at 121 ½, while
her opponent Bridget Wise from Montclair, California weighted in at
122 ½. Villarreal would easily take the win with a unanimous
decision (40-35, 38-37, 40-35). Bridget fell to 0-2 and has never
fought again.
Frank vs. Villarreal - Photo by J & P
Photography
On November 18, 2005, Villarreal (124 ½) met Tammy Franks (126 ½) ,
also from San Antonio, at the Rosedale Ballroom for a scheduled 4
round bout. Villarreal won again by unanimous decision scoring
40-36, 39-37, 40-36 on the judge’s scorecards. Villarreal improved
to 2-0, while Franks started her professional boxing career as 0-1.
[Photo gallery# 303, MPEG/photo gallery #307.]
On February 15, 2006 in Edmonton, Canada, Villarreal (124) lost a 6
round bout by split decision to Canadian Amanda Carriere (125) who
was 4-0 at the time. 57-56, 56-57, 56-57.
In May of 2006, Villarreal and Carriere met once again in Edmonton
Canada. Both weighed in at an even 124 pounds. This time, the fight
resulted in a draw.
Villarreal’s, 126, fifth professional bout took place January 25,
2007 up north in Bronx, New York, against Maureen Shea, 127 ½, who
was 8-0 going into the ring. Villarreal met Shea in her hometown
only to lose by a decision, 59-55, 58-57, 58-56.
On
March 17, 2007, Elizabeth, 123, lost a 6 round unanimous
decision to Vanessa Juarez, 122, in Corpus Christi, Texas on
the Holyfield undercard.
On
May 3, 2007, Elizabeth fought an 8 round featherweight title fight
against Crystal Morales from Oxnard, California. This fight was for
the Golden State Championship belt. Villarreal won by a unanimous
decision.
On June
21, 2007, Elizabeth met
Hondi Hernandez from Chandler, Arizona for a round bout
at
the AVA Casino in Tuscon, Arizona.
Elizabeth won the 4 round bout by
unanimous decision. The win brought her to 4-3-1 and broke the goose
egg for Hondi, who fell to 4-1.
On July
2, 2007, Elizabeth,
126¾,
met Brooke Dierdorff,
123½,
in Temecula, California for a scheduled
six-round featherweight bout that was scheduled to be televised. The
fight was declared a technical draw and stopped after the 2nd
round from an accidental headbutt that took place in the first
round. [Photo
gallery #424].
Photo by Mary Ann Owen
Villarreal, single mother of 3, also works a
professional full time job. She is very active with her children’s
school and their sports activities, as well as trying pursue her
boxing career as well.
