Free “Pancho Villa” Book Launch + Filipino Boxing Showcase & Free Food (SF)

Submitted by the Event Organizer

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. 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.

Filipino American historian, professor, and cultural worker, Dr. Bernard James Remollino, will share their book in a conversation with sports consultant and CoachingKapwa founder, Carolyn Sideco.

The talk will be followed by:

• Book signing and meet-and-greet with the author.
• Live musical performance by Bay Area community organizer and emcee, Power Struggle.
• Boxing showcase by the Bayanihan Boxing program.
• Documentary trailer premiere presented by Kapwa Kollektive
• Vending and resources by various community organizations and creators.
• Filipina American coffee served courtesy of Masaya Kapé
• Filipino Food served courtesy of Alex Suniga (MasaraptheHomie)

More about the book:

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. Rich archival research, rare photographs, and engaging narrative bring Villa’s 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 supporting 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.

Disclaimer: Please double check event information with the event organizer as events can be canceled, details can change after they are added to our calendar, and errors do occur.