Bryan insists he was robbed

LAS VEGAS — In a rare fit of anger, Brian Viloria dared World Boxing Council (WBC) lightflyweight champion Omar Nino Romero to fight him a third time after the Mexican’s supporters booed his claim that he was robbed of a victory in a press conference after their rematch wound up a draw at the Thomas and Mack Center here Saturday night (yesterday morning, Manila).

Viloria expressed his disgust to media and said he deserved to win but his claim drew a round of jeers from Romero’s fans in the audience. He looked defiantly at Romero, watching from a distance, and challenged him to another fight.

"I’ve never seen Brian react that way before," said Viloria’s manager Gary Gittelsohn. "It was a bad decision and a travesty of justice. Something like this is bad for the sport and will only depress a lot of young kids who are involved in boxing."

Viloria, who turns 26 on Friday, floored Romero twice but couldn’t finish off the slick defending champion known as "El Maestrito" (the little teacher).

Judges Samuel Conde of Puerto Rico and Carol Castellano saw it a draw, 113-all, while judge Dave Moretti had it 115-112 for Romero who took the last two rounds in the three scorecards. If Viloria won either the 11th or 12th round, he would’ve regained the title Romero wrested in an upset decision here last August.

The punchstats showed Romero landed 148 of 587 punches compared to Viloria’s 123 of 599. But it was clear Viloria connected on more telling blows with two knockdowns — one in the fifth and another in the ninth — as proof.

While Conde and Castellano scored 10-8 for Viloria in the fifth to credit the knockdown, Moretti only saw it 10-9. His scorecard was disputed by Gittelsohn.

Although Viloria failed to regain the throne, Gittelsohn said he earned redemption from his listless performance last August.

"I think Brian gave a good account of himself," said Gittelsohn. "Romero hardly did anything in the last two rounds to deserve winning them both. Just look at Romero after the fight and you wouldn’t think he escaped with a draw."

Romero, 30, was badly bloodied and battered by Viloria’s vicious hooks and crosses.

Gittelsohn said the consensus along press row was Viloria should’ve won. HBO TV analysts Harold Lederman and Larry Merchant scored it 115-111 for Viloria.

"I don’t think Romero will want to fight Viloria again because he knows he should’ve lost the bout," said Gittelsohn. "When they announced the majority draw, Romero jumped up and down because he thought he lost. In comparison, Brian was disappointed because he thought he won." —

Gittelsohn said Viloria may move up to the flyweight division or challenge World Boxing Association lightflyweight champion Koki Kameda of Japan .

"Brian used to fight as a flyweight but went down to lightflyweight for the chance to challenge Eric Ortiz for the WBC championship," said Gittelsohn. "He’s maturing and filling out so I’m not sure if it’s wise to stop his natural growth to flyweight."

Gittelsohn said he hopes the Filipino fans realize Viloria is back.

"He was listless in his last fight but he redeemed himself in the rematch," said Gittelsohn. "I’m sure his fans are disappointed he didn’t win back the title. He neither won nor lost. But since he didn’t regain the title, it was like he lost."

Gittelsohn said Romero is tougher than he appears. "He has a very good left jab and is difficult to hit because he’s so shifty," continued Gittelsohn. "But Brian is a better fighter."