BOOK LAUNCH and Community Gathering: "Pancho Villa: World Champion, 1923"

Join us for the premiere launch event for our new book: Pancho Villa: World Champion, 1923, at Sentro Filipino in San Francisco!

In 1923, Filipino boxer Francisco “Pancho Villa” Guilledo shattered expectations by becoming the first Asian flyweight world champion. This historic triumph not only ignited the Great Filipino Boxing Era but also emboldened a nation facing the violence of U.S. imperialism. Our book, Pancho Villa: World Champion 1923, tells the incredible story of Villa’s rise from humble beginnings in the Philippines to his world-renowned victory, and how his journey changed boxing forever.

In a time when racial prejudice and imperial power shaped the world, a small, determined fighter stepped into the ring and rewrote history. From his early days in the backstreets of Manila to the grand stage of New York’s Polo Grounds, Villa’s perseverance, skill, and honor captured the hearts of millions. Our book blends rich archival research, rare photographs, and engaging narrative to bring his legendary career and the cultural legacy of Filipino boxing to life.

This hardcover book tells the deeper story of how boxing became a weapon of resistance for Filipinos under U.S. empire in the early twentieth century. It situates Villa’s triumph within the larger history of colonialism, racial performance, and the politics of the body to demonstrate how one fighter’s journey emboldened a generation and inspired global audiences.In an America grappling with renewed debates over racial justice, immigration, and the legacy of empire, Villa’s story resonates more urgently than ever. As movements and campaigns for immigrant rights shine a spotlight on systemic inequality, this book challenges readers to confront uncomfortable truths about “benevolent assimilation,” racial spectacle, and the ongoing impact of colonial attitudes in sports and society.Some may find this project controversial. It unapologetically critiques U.S. imperial history and centers the voices of those long marginalized. More than a history book, it is an act of protest. By funding this book, you join in elevating a voice of resistance, reminding us that the fight for justice spans generations and that the lessons of Villa’s era still echo in our streets and stadiums today.

Info: CoachingKapwa and Bayou Barkada founder Carolyn Sideco will have a conversation with Filipino American cultural historian Dr. Bernard James Remollino on the historical context of Pancho Villa's championship legacy and its broader connections to histories of the Philippines, U.S. empire, and Filipino America in the early 20th century.

Info: SOMA Pilipinas cultural worker and community organizer, Power Struggle, wrote "Allegory of the Underdog" to accompany the book release. His song encapsulates the spirit of "Pancho Villa: World Champion, 1923." A number of poets will also perform their pieces on culture, history, and liberation. Kapwa Kollektive will also share more about their upcoming documentary based on Dr. Remollino's book.

Info: Community boxing program, Bayanihan Boxing, will be sharing their programming with attendees ahead of an upcoming boxing workshop offered the following weekend at Sentro.

Info: Chat with the author, have your book copy signed, and connect with several community organizations supporting struggles for liberation within and beyond the Filipino diaspora. Enjoy refreshments, purchase merchandise, and explore artifacts from the Great Pinoy Boxing Era on display in the gallery space.

Host or Publisher Bayani Art x Bernard Remollino