Sonsona, Viloria to headline Solar card?

MANILA, Philippines - Reigning International Boxing Federation (IBF) junior flyweight champion Brian Viloria is looking to fight again before Filipino boxing fans in a card that hopefully, would include new World Boxing Organization (WBO) junior bantamweight champion Marvin Sonsona.

Viloria revealed during Tuesday’s PSA Forum that Solar Sports is planning to put up another promotion featuring Filipino boxers in February next year as a fitting follow up to the successful ring presentation it staged at the Araneta Coliseum last April.

“I do love to fight here again. I think Solar Sports has plans of promoting another boxing card early next year. I hope it could be done again and hopefully, Marvin would be in that card,” said Viloria, sitting beside Sonsona at the guests table of the hour-long session sponsored by Shakey’s, Accel, PAGCOR and Outlast Battery.

Sonsona won the WBO title just four days ago in Ontario, Canada by scoring a unanimous decision over Jose Lopez of Puerto Rico.

Sammy Gello-ani, Sonsona’s promoter, welcomed a Philippine fight for the 19-year-old teener in an effort to further establish a fan base among Filipino boxing supporters.

But even before that happens, Gello-ani said the world champion is set to see action again in Canada sometime in November.

“He had good reception in Canada so he’s scheduled to go back there for his next fight,” said Gello-ani, who was with WBO executive Leon Panoncillo and trainer Jun Agrabyado during the forum.

“He’s still young so we really have to program carefully his next fight and see to it that he’s in the right direction.”

In cooperation with Top Rank, Solar Sports promoted a dual world championship fight April 19 at the Big Dome that features Nonito Donaire Jr. staking his IBF flyweight title against American Raul Martinez and Viloria vying for the IBF junior flyweight belt of then champion Ulises Solis of Mexico.

Donaire stopped Martinez in the fourth round to retain his crown, while Viloria stunned Solis with an 11th round stoppage to crown himself world champion for the second time.

After a successful title defense against Jesus Iribe a week ago in Hawaii, Viloria is currently vacationing in the country together with girlfriend Erica Navarro. He is set to leave for the US next week, and hopefully start getting in shape.

“I want to stay busy and sharpen up myself,” said Viloria, who’s looking to set up a probable showdown against WBO light-flyweight champion Ivan Calderon of Puerto Rico or a rematch with WBC titleholder and one-time tormentor Edgar Sosa.