MANILA, Philippines - Having learned his lesson in his last fight, former two-time champion Brian Viloria yesterday said he’s ready to fight the whole night when he slugs it out with Mexican Omar Soto in a 10-round non-title bout at the Ynares Sports Arena in Pasig on Saturday.
Viloria said he’s prepared mentally and physically, vowing to erase the stigma of his sorry loss to Colombia’s Carlos Tamara at the Astrodome last January where he faded in the closing rounds after a dominant start.
“I’m in great condition. I’ve been training for 13 weeks and I don’t want what happened in the last fight to happen again,” said Viloria in a well-attended pre-fight press conference at the Crowne Plaza Hotel.
Viloria, dubbed the Hawaiian Punch, has moved up in weight and now chasing a crown at the flyweight division after relinquishing the IBF light flyweight championship to Tamara.
Viloria is now aching for redemption, looking for a good performance versus Soto.
“Hopefully everything goes right. I want to win this fight, I want another world title,” said Viloria.
“I want to show that I still have what it takes to go in there and become a world champion. I will put my heart 110 percent into this fight come what may. When the lights go on I am going to show that I am still one of the best and a world champion,” Viloria said.
New head trainer Ruben Salazar said Viloria is “very comfortable” at the 112-pound limit.
“The weight class change has made him stronger as a fighter since he doesn’t need to work hard to burn off those last few pounds. He has carried his speed and power into the new division,” said Salazar, who has taken over from Roberto Garcia.
With the confidence of the Viloria camp goes their caution in going up against Soto.
“He’s a very durable fighter. He comes at you, throws a lot of combinations and just makes you work. So I conditioned myself to go all the way,” said Viloria of Soto who has a fight record of 19 wins against six losses and two draws.
Viloria, a former Olympian, has a pro record of 26 wins – with 15 by way of knockout – against three losses.
Soto, with a built like that of Viloria, said he traveled half the world ready for war.
“I know Viloria to be a great fighter. He’s famous that’s why I accepted the offer to fight him,” said the Mexican in halting English.
He believes he has a great speed that will work to his advantage.