Viloria, Romero ready for boxing classic


SINGAPORE – Brian “The Hawaiian Punch” Viloria will finally get the chance to close the chapter on a very bitter rivalry with Mexican Omar Nino Romero, with whom he shared two hotly contested fights.

The bout, which will be fought for Viloria’s WBO Flyweight Title, will take place Sunday, May 13 at the Ynares Sports Arena in Pasig City, in the 4th installment of the Island Assault series – this one entitled “Island Assault 4: The Battle”.

Brian Viloria, 112 lbs. – Omar Nino Romero, 112 lbs. (Flyweights)

Earlier Saturday, May 12 at the Discovery Suites in Ortigas, both Viloria and Romero weighed in at 112 lbs.

Brian Viloria, who hails from Waipahu, Hawaii and traces his roots back to Narvacan, Ilocos Sur, is on a furious comeback trail posting an awesome victory over highly touted pound-for-pound fighter Giovani Segura just last December in the same venue.

Experts were impressed and claim Viloria is of the absolute best at this weight class.

The Flyweight division is a very hot division right now, with the world’s best lighter weight talents all competing to be the top dog, three of them Filipinos.

Brian Viloria sits at #2 while Milan “Method Man” Melindo, who fights out of the famed ALA stable, at #4. The universally recognized Ring Champion is Sonny Boy Jaro who recently upset former champion Pongsaklek Wonjongkam of Thailand just months ago.

Boxing pundits believe Viloria is in a good position to hold on to his title longer than he ever has before, despite fighting in a division teeming deep with talent.

Gone are Viloria’s most obvious flaws – his lack of stamina and the way he tends to fade in the second half of fights. They were virtually non-existent in his previous fight against Segura. Instead, Viloria fought at a steady, controlled pace and had enough energy to consistently deal punishing combinations to his opponent from the 1st round to the 8th, when the ringside physician put a halt to the contest due to a grotesque hematoma that had formed on the right side of Segura’s face.

Against Romero, whom Viloria has shared life and death with on the score cards, Viloria faces a crafty opponent who’s not afraid to bang and brawl, but also weary of Viloria’s power.

Romero knows Viloria all too well, having fought him twice and was able to come away with a points win and a majority draw.

Viloria and Romero look ripped and ready for their fight. Neither one appeared weight-drained whatsoever and both fighters looked ready to give fans 12 action-packed rounds.

With a victory, this could be the fight that will launch Viloria’s career back into the limelight.

Rodel Mayol, 114 lbs. – Julio Cesar Miranda, 114 lbs. (Flyweights)

Also on weight are Rodel “Batang Mandaue” Mayol of Cebu and Julio Cesar “Pingo” Miranda of Mexico. Miranda, many recall, is the fighter Brian Viloria beat to recapture the WBO Flyweight title in Hawaii last year.

Both Mayol and Miranda clocked in at 114 lbs. for their clash.

Mayol has always been one of the Philippines’ best talents. However, bad career decisions had often derailed him and he has never been able to realize his full potential.

Against Miranda, a credible and considerable tough opponent, he once again has the chance to prove to the world that he still has what it takes to compete at the highest level. – Rappler.com

Click on the links below for more.

• Sweet revenge: Viloria knocks out Romero
• The gospel of Manny Pacquiao
• Pacman denies anti-gay quote
• Pacquiao slams Obama, same-sex marriage