5’7 Elizabeth “The Pearl” Villarreal (aka: Elizabeth A. Moreno)  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 2^nd round from an accidental headbutt that took place in the first round. [Photo gallery #424].

Photo by Mary Ann Owen

Elizabeth returned to the ring September 27, 2007. This time back at The Battle of the Ballroom in Irvine, California meeting Kina Malpartida (7-1). Elizabeth lost the 4 round scheduled bout by unanimous decision.

The biggest fight of Villarreal’s career thus far took place November 3, 2007, at the Seven Feathers Hotel and Casino Resort in Oregon for the vacant GBU Featherweight Title against veteran Kelsey Jefferies (38-9-1) who was already a seven-time world champion at that time. The fight went the distance and was awarded to Jefferies unanimously.

On February 14, 2008,  was another milestone for Villarreal. Longtime boyfriend, trainer and mentor proposed marriage. The two have set the wedding date of August 23, 2008. She will soon be known as Elizabeth Moreno.

On February 22,2008, Villarreal gave fellow San Antonian, Tammy Franks the rematch that she had been asking for since their first meeting. Franks was hoping to avenge her loss to Villarreal, only to suffer another loss in McAllen, Texas.

On April 24, 2008, Villarreal, met Jennifer Barber (6-0 3KO’s) in California for a 4 round bout. Villarreal lost by unanimous decision. Barber was hoping for a knockout, as she had succeeded with her previous 3 bouts. Barber stated “ I wanted the knockout, but I am happy with the win.”

On June 12, 2008,  Villarreal, (5-6-2) 126, went back to the Seven Feathers Hotel and Casino Resort in Oregon to meet local fighter, Merced Nunez (7-1),126 ½ to fight to a draw. The two will meet again for a rematch.

On June 27, 2008, Villarreal met Kaliesha West in Cabazon, California. The fight was declared a unanimous decision awarded to West.

Villarreal returned back to the ring January 17, 2009, after a 7 month lay off and becoming a newlywed. Elizabeth married her long-time boyfriend and trainer, Isaac Moreno on August 23, 2008.

Villarreal fought Merced Nunez once again and once again, the fight ended in a draw January 17, 2009 in Ferndale, Washington.

Villarreal (now fighting under the name of Elizabeth Moreno)  is  preparing for her upcoming fight with Rhonda Luna (14-1) on April 16, 2009 in Highland, California.

(WBAN will keep the name that Elizabeth fought under for past fights, but will use her name change of Elizabeth A. Moreno for any future fights. )