Ruben Villa outclasses Alexei Collado, closer to title shot

Ruben Villa continues to be a prospect likable for what he does in the ring. And out of it.

Villa, who honored the memory of Kobe Bryant by wearing the Laker legend’s No. 8 jersey in his walk to the ring, enhanced his featherweight credentials with a thorough implementation of tactical skill in a decision over Cuban Alexei Collado Friday night on ShoBox in Shreveport, Louisiana.

It was unanimous on the cards and dominating in every other way.

“I feel like I put on a good show,’’ said Villa (18-0, 5 KOs), a Salinas, California fighter who was 2-2 as an amateur against featherweight champion and 2016 Olympic silver medalist Shakur Stevenson.

It was a show of potential that promises to put Villa, a two-time National Golden Gloves champion, closer to a shot at a 126-pound belt, perhaps later this year.

“He was a big knockout puncher, and he’s no pushover,’’ Villa said of Collado.

Collado, who lives in Miami, had no argument with the cards – 98-92, 99-91, 98-92, all for Villa.

“He moves a lot, and he’s a smart fighter,’’ Collado said. “I feel like when I threw a lot, I hit him. But I wasn’t active enough.”

In a co-main event, Ukrainian welterweight Taras Shelestyuk (18-0, 10 KOs), a 2012 Olympic Bronze medalist, scored a unanimous decision over Luis Alberto Veron (18-2-2, 9 KOs) of Argentina.