Former welterweight contender Roiman Villa is ready to put consecutive high-profile defeats behind him and reinvent himself at junior middleweight against Francisco Veron.

Friday night, the pair meet in the ProBox main event at the War Memorial Auditorium, Fort Lauderdale and it's been a trying two-year period for the Venezuelan-born Colombian.

"That period was the toughest moment of my career," Villa told The Ring.

"I'm a brave fighter—I want the best, and I'm not afraid of anyone. That's why I took the fight with [Jaron] Boots [Ennis.] He's an elite fighter and that night, he did his job."

"The public didn’t see the battle I went through before stepping in that ring. The fight [with Ricardo Salas] was originally scheduled for an earlier date, and in trying to make 147 for that first date, my body shut down. I got sick, and afterwards suffered anxiety issues I had never experienced in my career.

"When the fight was rescheduled, I wasn't recovered mentally or physically. That's not an excuse—it's the reality. I stepped in the ring, but wasn’t myself. Those two nights humbled me, but they didn’t break me. I learned from the losses, and still fear no one."

Villa (27-3, 25 KOs) pressed the reset button on his career and scored a fourth-round stoppage win over Alexander Duran in Panama City on January 17.

"I needed to feel that fire again—prove to myself that the warrior in me was still alive," he explained. "It wasn't just about getting a victory; it was about recovering my identity, my rhythm, and confidence.

"Now that I’m back in the win column, my mentality is sharp, and my hunger is bigger than ever. That fight reminded me of who I am—and what I’m capable of doing to anyone who stands in front of me."

With the issues of making welterweight, it’s unsurprising that he's now fighting up at junior middleweight.

"147 was breaking my body," he said. "At 154 I'm done cutting myself down—I'm coming in strong, dangerous, and with bad intentions. I feel reborn at this weight, and anyone in this division who stands in front of me is going to feel the difference."

Having knocked the ring rust off earlier this year, now he’s ready to face Veron, who is coming off an impressive win over seasoned veteran Vladimir Hernandez in July.

This fight should provide answers as to where and what Villa can do at the new weight.

"Verón is a strong and confident opponent, and I respect what he brings, but I'm not intimidated by anyone," he said. "I believe God places the right battles in front of us, and this is one I am fully prepared for. I'm training with discipline, purpose, and conviction, and I know that when I'm focused, I can beat anyone in this division.

"Verón is a solid challenge, but I'm coming to win and to make a statement at 154. This is part of my mission, and I'm ready to show it."

His manager, Alejandro Torres, has guided him since 2018 and despite the defeats has faith his fighter can make waves in boxing.

"Even after the toughest setbacks, he didn't run, he didn’t hide — he stood back up stronger, hungrier, and more determined to become a world champion," he said. "That's what separates the real warriors in this sport.

"We learned from our mistakes — as a fighter and as a team. Those moments forced us to evolve, to mature, and to recommit to the mission. We are grateful to God for giving us the strength, the clarity, and opportunity to write a new chapter. Now at 154, with a renewed mind and a healthier body, we are ready to show everyone who Roiman Villa truly is. This is a new opportunity, and we plan to make it count."

Veron (15-1-1, 10 KOs) turned professional in his native Argentina in November 2020. After four wins at home, he fought twice in Mexico and also appeared in Dubai on his way up.

The 26-year-old held the promising Jahi Tucker to an eight-round draw before losing a 10-round points decision to Brandon Adams before bouncing back in beating Hernandez.