Viloria to face Mexican nemesis

MANILA, Philippines - In what could be the climax of an intriguing trilogy, WBO flyweight champion Brian Viloria takes on Mexican archrival Omar Niño Romero in a scheduled 12-round title defense in Manila on April 1 with the winner advancing to battle the WBA beltholder in a unification showdown.

Solar TV chief executive officer Peter Chanliong told The STAR yesterday it’s a fight that Viloria has craved for since losing the WBC lightflyweight crown to Romero on a unanimous 12-round decision in Las Vegas in August 2006. Viloria and Romero fought in a rematch three months later but the outcome was inconclusive. The judges saw it a majority draw then the Nevada State Athletic Commission ruled a no-contest after Romero tested positive for illegal drugs.

 “Brian wants payback,” said Chanliong. “Romero’s been a thorn on his side. Brian has a score to settle with Romero and he’s making it a priority before a unification fight. Romero’s a dangerous opponent. When Brian lost to (Carlos) Tamara, he ran out of steam. But when he lost to Romero, it was because the Mexican outboxed him. Brian is now at a different level from when he fought Romero in 2006. He wants to take care of business because there’s that lingering thought of Romero being a superior boxer.”

Chanliong said Viloria’s manager Gary Gittelsohn and Fernando Beltran’s Zanfer Promotions of Mexico are finalizing the details of Viloria’s second defense of the WBO 112-pound crown he wrested from Julio Cesar Miranda in Honolulu last July. He said the fight will be staged here in the morning to air on prime time in the US and Mexico. The likely venue is the Ynares Sports Arena in Pasig where Viloria halted challenger Giovani Segura in his first title defense last December. Romero, 35, hasn’t fought since losing the WBC lightflyweight title to Gilberto Keb Baas by a majority decision in November 2010. He is booked to take on Sammy Gutierrez in Sonora on March 3. Romero enjoyed two reigns as WBC lightflyweight titlist, dethroning Viloria first then another Filipino Rodel Mayol. He is widely known for scoring a first round knockout over Mexican warrior Jorge Arce in 1996. His record against Filipinos lists three wins (over Viloria, Mayol and Juanito Rubillar), a loss (to Rubillar), a draw (with Mayol) and a no-contest.

Viloria, 31, has a 30-3 record, with 17 KOs compared to Romero’s 30-4-2, with 12 KOs. What bothers Viloria is in two fights, he has not beaten Romero. The Mexican won his two titles at the expense of Filipinos and now wants to dethrone Viloria for another crown.

Chanliong said the plan is for the Viloria-Romero winner to meet the survivor of the March 24 bout between WBA lightflyweight champion Hernan (Tyson) Marquez of Mexico and Mayol in Sonora.

“The unification showdown will probably happen in July, maybe in the undercard of a big show headlined by Juan Manuel Marquez,” said Chanliong. “If Brian and Mayol win, it’ll be two Filipinos facing off for the unified WBO and WBA titles. If Brian and Marquez win, it’ll be a continuation of the fabled rivalry between Filipino and Mexican fighters.”

Marquez, 23, has won his last five outings, all by knockout, including a third round disposal of Filipino Edrin Dapudong. His record is 32-2, with 25 KOs. He has lost only to Filipinos Richie Mepranum and Nonito Donaire Jr. Mayol, 30, has a 30-5-2 record, with 22 KOs, and briefly held the WBC lightflyweight title.