MANILA, Philippines - Nothing much has changed since Brian Viloria became the first boxer to unify the world titles in the flyweight division for the first time in nearly 50 years.
“The thing at the house is still the same. My wife still makes me take out the garbage and wash the dishes,” said Viloria with a boyish smile on his face.
The proud owner of the WBO and WBA crowns arrived in the country the other day with his wife Erika to celebrate with his fans, family and friends.
“Nothing has changed at the house,” insisted the soft-spoken champion a week after he knocked out Mexico’s Hernan Marquez in Los Angeles.
The Fil-American boxer turned 32 last Saturday, and on Dec. 3 he and Erika will celebrate their wedding anniversary in their simple way.
Viloria, who fought for the US in the 2000 Sydney Olympics, graced a popular TV noontime show yesterday, and had to put his dancing shoes on.
“Time to turn the city inside out with some dancing skills,” he said on Twitter.
Sooner or later, he might get movie offers as well, and follow in the footsteps of fellow champions Manny Pacquiao and Nonito Donaire Jr.
Viloria said it feels good to be home with two world titles hanging from his shoulders.
“It’s been a great feeling winning another world title and unifying the titles. It’s been 50 years in my weight division since that has happened,” he told GMA-7.
“It’s a great feeling for me to accomplish such a feat,” Viloria said.
Seriously, he talked about his next fight, which should come in the first quarter of 2013, and possibly against Cebu’s Milan Melindo, the WBO top contender.
Viloria said if he could have his way, he’d rather face someone else.
“But as a fighter you have to take on all comers regardless of race and nationality. I just wish there are other options out there,” he said.
“I leave it to management to clear the path for me. If given the chance I wouldn’t want to go up against another Filipino. Hopefully there are other options.”
Viloria knows what he wants, and it’s not a fight with a countryman.