Brian Viloria to face Roman Gonzalez for WBC flyweight title

MANILA, Philippines – Brian Viloria will get another chance to become a world champion once more as the Filipino-American boxer is set to face WBC flyweight champion Roman “Chocolatito” Gonzalez on October 17 at the historic Madison Square Garden in New York.  (READ: Viloria wants Gonzalez next: ‘He’s been dodging me’)

Viloria (36-4, 22 knockouts), who confirmed the bout in an interview with USA TODAY Sports, added that the 12-round flyweight championship clash will serve as co-featured attraction to the middleweight title showdown between Gennady Golovkin and David Lemieux.

The 34-year-old native of Waipahu, Hawaii, made quick work of Omar Soto in their rematch in July, dropping the Mexican pugilist thrice to score a first-round knockout.

Viloria, a former two-division world titleholder, went on a terrific run from 2011 to 2012, unifying two major flyweight belts and scoring notable triumphs over the likes of Giovani Segura, Omar Nino Romero, and Hernan Marquez.

However, he dropped a split decision and his WBA and WBO flyweight straps to Juan Francisco Estrada in April 2013.

Since his disappointing setback to Estrada, Viloria rebounded on a high note, winning 3 of his last 4 outings by knockout.

“I’ve always gotten up for big, huge fights like this, especially fights where I’ve been the underdog. I actually relish in that a bit. They don’t know if I still have what it takes to beat a guy like Roman Gonzalez. This is the type of fight that gets me pumped, gets my blood flowing and extremely motivates me in trying to perform to the best that I can,” Viloria stated. (READ: Brian Viloria’s 5 greatest victories)

Gonzalez (43-0, 37 KOs) annihilated ex-junior flyweight titlist Edgar Sosa in the second round last May.

The 28-year-old Nicaraguan puncher looked nothing short of spectacular in his previous 9 matches as he savagely defeated Edgar Sosa, Valentin Leon, Rocky Fuentes, Akira Yaegashi, Juan Purisima, Juan Kantun, Oscar Blanquet, Francisco Rodriguez Jr, and Ronald Barrera.

The last fighter that lasted full 12 rounds with Gonzalez was Estrada in November 2012.

“In my eyes, I don’t think he’s really been tested the way I’m going to test him on October 17, but he’s very technical. He does the right things in the ring at the right time. I haven’t really seen anybody put a lot of pressure on him or try to exchange with him as much as they should,” Viloria said of his opponent. – Rappler.com