Viloria rarin’ to test tough Mexican

MACAU – Brian Viloria had gone through Juan Francisco Estrada’s fight resume more than a couple of times and yet there’s one thing he just can’t figure out.

“I’m not too sure how well he takes punches,” said Viloria during Thursday’s press conference for the “Fists of Gold” card at the oversized The Venetian casino resort here.

“So I’m going to have to test that a little bit. I don’t know if he can take the body shots. I want to test that early. I want to see his ability,” he said.

Viloria will put his WBO and WBA flyweight titles plus everything else on the line against the younger Mexican in tomorrow’s late-night show at the Cotai Arena.

Viloria looked and sounded ready for the fight.

He said he’s on weight a couple of days now, and the other night he enjoyed a steak dinner with his wife Erika in an fine Italian restaurant here. 

The official weigh-in is set Friday at 2:30 p.m.

The 32-year-old Filipino knows what he’s up against.

“He’s the high-output type of guy. He puts a lot of combinations and he throws a lot of punches. He likes to throw uppercuts,” he said of Estrada.

“But I’m not too sure how well he takes punches. I’m going see a lot and adjust throughout the fight then pick the best way for me to beat him,” he said.

Viloria is on a hot streak dating back from July 2010, racking up six straight wins against the likes of Omar Sotto, Giovanni Segura, Omar Niño Romero and Hernan “Tyson” Marquez.

Viloria has knocked out his last three opponents, and hopes to keep it going against Estrada. He said the first round will be a one to watch.

There’s no need to warm it up.

“The first round is going to be a barn burner. We’re going to go at it. I’m willing to go toe to toe. It all comes down to who has the best chin,” he said.

Estrada, who is 10 years younger, had left the room when Viloria, dressed like he’s ready to party, faced a small group of Pinoy scribes.

During the press conference that was graced by former heavyweight champion George Foreman, Estrada spoke on the microphone and, in Spanish, thanked promoter Bob Arum and Viloria for the opportunity.

“I will give my all inside the ring as always. I’m excited,” said Estrada.

He should be excited because he’s coming off a loss to Roman Gonzales last November in a light-flyweight title fight, and here he is being given a shot at Viloria’s flyweight crowns.

“I feel very good about this fight against Brian. Against Gonzales I felt good but it was at 108 (lb). I feel stronger and more comfortable in this weight class (112 lb),” said Estrada.

The Mexican who had knocked out 17 of his 22 victims has everything to gain flying over to this former Portuguese colony and now Asia’s gambling capital.

“He’s hungry. He has nothing to lose. He has everything to gain. He’s a dangerous fighter,” said Viloria.

That he’s sure of.