MANILA, Philippines - Brian Viloria can find extra motivation from Filipino boxing icon Manny Pacquiao when he takes on Mexico’s Hernan “Tyson” Marquez on Sunday at the Los Angeles Sports Arena.
Pacquiao will be at ringside for the unification fight between Viloria, the WBO flyweight champion, and Marquez, the WBA titlist in the crowded 112 lb division.
But the 33-year-old Pacquiao, getting ready for a fourth showdown with Juan Manuel Marquez on Dec. 8 in Las Vegas, won’t be there to cheer.
Pacquiao will work as fight commentator for Mexican network Azteca 7, according to a report by www.philboxing.com.
Other boxing luminaries that will be around when Viloria stakes his title and perhaps his future against the aggressive Mexican are former heavyweight champion Larry Holmes, and Mexican Hall of Famers Marco Antonio Barrera and Julio Cesar Chavez.
Barrera, who recently visited Pacquiao during training at the Wild Card Gym, and Chavez often work together as commentators for Azteca.
Viloria, who turns 32 on Nov. 24, said he’s ready for the fight, and in a recent phone-patch interview with Manila scribes added that he can’t wait for the fight to happen.
“I’m ready. I wish the fight were tomorrow,” said the Filipino-American.
He said he’s been training long and hard for this fight because it’s been pushed back a few times since last August.
“It’s November now. I’ve always been at the gym. Our sparring has been great – against a couple of left-handers,” said Viloria.
He said his future largely depends on this fight, adding that a loss could possibly mean the end of the road for him.
“There’s nothing (left) for me if I don’t win this fight,” he told the scribes.
Viloria said he sparred a little over 100 rounds for the Marquez fight, and as of Monday he was just four pounds over the limit.
“As soon as we found out what the exact date for this fight was we went full blast. Now we’re just tapering down and I’m just a few pounds overweight,” he said.
Viloria is ready to rumble, and Pacquiao will be there to watch.