Viloria to attend Pacman's birthday bash

MANILA, Philippines - WBO flyweight champion Brian Viloria will fly to General Santos City today with wife Erica and Solar Entertainment president Wilson Tieng to attend Manny Pacquiao’s birthday party which is expected to gather a throng of celebrities, politicians, relatives and friends.

Pacquiao was a guest analyst on the TV panel that covered Viloria’s win over Giovani Segura at the Ynares Sports Arena in Pasig last Sunday. After referee Samuel Viruet raised Viloria’s arm in triumph, the Hawaiian Punch made his way to the announcers’ table to personally thank Pacquiao for his presence.

“I know what Brian’s capable of,” said Pacquiao. “There’s no one stronger than Brian in the flyweight division. If he stays focused, trains hard and fights smart, he’ll be a champion a long time.”

Viloria almost broke down when he approached Pacquiao and called him his inspiration. “It’s a great honor for me,” said Viloria. “Manny is one of the best fighters in the world. No, he’s the best fighter in the world. I’m really grateful that he came out to show his support for me. He inspires all of us. He’s my inspiration.”

Pacquiao advised Viloria to keep his feet on the ground. “Never stop improving, never stop learning,” Pacquiao told Viloria. “No matter how good everyone says you are, there is always room for improvement.”

Viloria soaked in Pacquiao’s words of wisdom like a sponge. “Manny’s absolutely right,” said Viloria. “He speaks from experience. He got to where he is through hard work, focus and heart. It was kind of him to invite Erica and me to General Santos City for his birthday celebration. We’re definitely going.”

At the time of the stoppage, the three judges saw Viloria way ahead on points. Filipino lawyer Danrex Tapdasan had it 69-64, giving Segura the first round. Ulysses Glen of Cleveland scored it a shutout, 70-63, while Canadian veteran Harry Davis saw it 68-65. Pacquiao scored it 69-65 for Viloria with the first round even.

Tapdasan, in only his second assignment as a judge in a world title fight, said the turning point was when Viloria staggered Segura with a left hook late in the opening round. “In my opinion, the difference in the fight was Viloria’s left hook and aggressive style,” he said. “These two things surprised Segura as he expected the right straight and Viloria retreating the whole fight. Segura was forced to backpedal which is not his style. He became very uncomfortable with Viloria’s tactics.”

Tapdasan noted that while Segura showed nothing new in his fight plan, Viloria was unpredictable. “Sometimes, Viloria used movement, sometimes, he pushed forward,” he said. “Segura expected him to box and move away. But Viloria mixed it up. He stood his ground and engaged Segura. For the first time, I saw Segura backtracking which he’s not used to do because he has always just rolled over his opponents.”

Tapdasan said Glen, a late substitute for Chicago judge William Lerch, was a former boxer whom he met at the WBO convention in Puerto Rico last October. He said Davis, who is in his 80s, has been a referee and judge for over 50 years.

“I really admired referee Viruet for stopping it when he did,” said Tapdasan. “He based his decision balancing the entertainment factor for the fans with the safety of the fighters. Before the eighth round started, he advised Segura’s corner that he would give him one more round to show if he can still win.  For him, what was paramount was the fighters’ safety. Segura could hardly see from his right eye which meant he couldn’t see Viloria’s left hook coming in. If I were the referee, I would be happy to do what referee Viruet did.”

Viloria said he will stay in the flyweight division. “It’s up to my manager (Gary Gittelsohn) whom I’ll fight next,” he said. “Right now, I’m just enjoying this victory. I’d like to unify the flyweight championship. I don’t care whom I fight – Tyson Marquez or Pongsaklek Wonjongkam. Line them up. I’m ready.”