Viloria stakes WBC title today

World Boxing Council (WBC) lightflyweight champion Brian Viloria of Narvacan, Ilocos Sur, and Waipahu, Hawaii, takes on dangerous Mexican challenger Omar Niño Romero in the second defense of his title at the Orleans Hotel and Casino in Las Vegas this morning (Manila time).

Although Viloria is a heavy betting favorite to win, his manager Gary Gittelsohn said Romero can’t be taken lightly because he’s not a typical "straight-ahead" Mexican fighter. Romero’s style could present a problem for Viloria who encountered rough sailing early in his first defense against Jose Antonio Aguirre last February before dominating in the late going to score a unanimous decision.

The fight card will be shown on a wide screen at the Robinsons Galleria fountain area and at Tastebuds in Robinsons Place Manila starting at 10 a.m. Solar Sports will also telecast the bouts starting 10 a.m. with replays at 7 tonight and 9 p.m. tomorrow.

"Romero has capable boxing skills and a powerful right hand," said Gittelsohn. "He boasts of a first round knockout over (former world champion and highly-touted) Jorge Arce and that fact speaks volumes about his power. Romero has good ring coverage and at times, falls into a pattern of counter-punching. However, in past bouts, he has shown a willingness to stand toe-to-toe and slug it out."

Whatever Romero brings to the table, Viloria said he’s ready to eat him up. He vowed to score a resounding victory for the Filipino people.

Viloria studied Romero’s style from a tape of his fight against Juan Gamez last year. Romero outpointed Gamez without difficulty.

"Brian saw a tape of Romero in just one fight," said Gittelsohn. "Romero turned in a workmanlike, one-sided win over Gamez and demonstrated great conditioning and superior skills throughout the 10-round fight."

It was an eye-opener for Viloria who found Romero a slick boxing technician.

"Brian’s extraordinary power is well-known in the boxing community and as a result, fighters tend to fight differently when they get in the ring with him," said Gittelsohn.

"Simply put, Brian’s opponents are defense-minded and proceed more cautiously. Brian expects Romero to be no different. So Brian will have to apply pressure on Romero to make openings and take advantage of those openings."

Gittelsohn, however, declined to divulge the specifics of Viloria’s fight strategy which was mapped out with trainer Freddie Roach.

"Brian loves training with Freddie," said Gittelsohn. "As for the specific game plan and improved arsenal of weapons Brian will be using, we prefer to keep that private."

Gittelsohn hinted that Romero will be in for a big surprise when Viloria unravels what he’s been working on in the gym the last eight weeks.

In the undercard, Filipino flyweight Diosdado Gabi of Davao City faces Mexican Jose German Cruz. Gabi is making his first ring appearance since losing to flyweight champion Vic Darchinyan on an eighth round stoppage in Santa Ynez, California, last March.

There is talk of a huge payday for Viloria in a unification fight against World Boxing Association champion Koki Kameda of Japan but Roach said he wants to concentrate only on Romero.

"I want Brian to go out and take care of business with Romero first," said Roach. "The more impressive he looks, the better it will be when we talk with the Japanese people."

Roach described Romero as a tough fighter on the slow side with a killer looping right hand.

"I don’t want Brian pulling back from this guy," said Roach. "I like Brian best when he’s aggressive and lets the big shots go, not when he’s laying back and countering. If he backs up and lets this guy come forward, it will be to the other guy’s advantage."

Boxing expert Graham Houston said Viloria is out to make a strong impression because he wasn’t as forceful in his last fight where he suffered a hairline fracture in his right hand. But he said Viloria has to work hard to win.

"Mexican boxers are, as a rule, tough and courageous," said Houston. "Romero has all to gain and nothing to lose which means he might rise to the occasion. If Viloria loses, it would have to be considered a shocking upset and there is a showcase feel to this fight. There is a lot to like about Viloria who is fast, classy and capable of punching explosively. If he is focused, he can probably look very good against Romero but there have been fights when I thought he would stop his opponent and the bouts went the distance."

Viloria, 25, has a 19-0 record, with 12 KOs. Romero, 30, has won his last four assignments and compiled a record of 23-2-1, with 10 KOs, since turning pro in 1995 when Viloria was only 14 years old.