‘Real’ Viloria to show up in rematch

The "real" Brian Viloria will enter the ring to regain the World Boxing Council (WBC) lightflyweight title from Omar Niño Romero of Mexico in their 12-round rematch billed as the chief aperitif to the Manny Pacquiao-Erik Morales main event at the Thomas and Mack Center in Las Vegas on Nov. 18.

Viloria’s manager Gary Gittelsohn told The STAR the other day the Sydney Olympian from Narvacan, Ilocos Sur, and Waipahu, Hawaii, is determined to avenge his loss to Romero and recapture the crown.

Freddie Roach won’t be in Viloria’s corner for the return bout because of the trainer’s busy schedule with Pacquiao but Gittelsohn said the new team of Joe Hernandez, Mario (Yuca) Morales, Raquel (Racket) Flores and cutman Ruben Gomez will provide more than adequate support.

Gittelsohn and Viloria met with Roach for dinner in Los Angeles over a month ago when they decided to go for the rematch.

"It was a productive meeting in that Brian demonstrated an honest eagerness to get back in the ring and recapture what he lost," said Gittelsohn. "I’m not sure anyone will ever be quite certain why Brian performed as poorly as he did but one thing sure, Brian is a much better athlete and fighter than Romero and Brian is hell-bent on proving it in the rematch."

Viloria, who turns 26 a week after the rematch, lost the WBC 108-pound crown on an upset 12-round unanimous decision to Romero in Las Vegas last August. It was his first defeat since turning pro in 2001.

Roach said Viloria beat himself by not keeping busy against Romero but will be back with a vengeance.

"Brian’s disappointed," said Roach, quoted by Don Stradley in The Ring Magazine. "He doesn’t have an answer for anybody. He should have been throwing combinations and been more active. Brian is usually stronger than his opponents so I think he lost too much weight too fast. We’ll do better in the rematch."

Gittelsohn said Viloria’s loss may turn out to be the motivational boost for the fighter to rekindle his passion for boxing and being a world champion.

With less than 30 days before the fight, Viloria weighed in at 115.8 pounds and should have no difficulty making the 108-pound limit.

"Brian has been brilliant in his sparring sessions," continued Gittelsohn. "He knows the stakes involved in this fight and he is showing the kind of focus and determination that breeds success. I see signs of self-confidence and hunger in Brian that I have never seen before."

Gittelsohn said fighting in the undercard of the Pacquiao-Morales rubber match will pump up Viloria because of the huge Filipino crowd expected to jam the stadium.

Gittelsohn negotiated a slot in the undercard for the Viloria-Romero rematch with Bob Arum of Top Rank. Viloria preferred to appear in the card as a televised co-feature even as it meant Roach would not be in his corner.

A few weeks ago, Pacquiao and Morales were guests at the Fil-Am Expo in Los Angeles and they were mobbed by fans.

"More than 35,000 people attended the Expo and Manny and Brian were the popular attractions," said Gittelsohn. "It was a huge success."