Viloria back to warrior's mentality

MANILA, Philippines - Brian Viloria vowed the other day to be an “animal” in the ring against IBF lightflyweight champion Ulises Solis of Mexico when they face off in a blockbuster card at the Araneta Coliseum on March 22. Viloria, 28, appeared to lose his aggressiveness after knocking out Eric Ortiz to wrest the WBC 108-pound title in 2005. He surrendered the crown in his second defense to Omar Niño Romero then failed in two bids to regain the throne.

There were insinuations that Viloria couldn’t adapt to the change in style his trainers suggested. He was being transformed into a counter-puncher and it clashed with his basic instinct to be aggressive. To regain his bearings, Viloria looked for a trainer who could bring back his warrior’s mentality. He found former IBF superfeatherweight champion Roberto Garcia who works with WBO featherweight titlist Steven Luevano and unbeaten former WBO superfeatherweight king Joan Guzman at the La Colonia Gym in Oxnard, California.

Viloria said Garcia has rekindled the fire in his belly.

“The basic things I’m learning from Robert are conditioning and putting pressure on my opponent,” said Viloria. “He gets me in shape and my aggressiveness is back. Against Solis, I’m laying it all out and I’m prepared to throw 120 punches a round. I’m going to be more aggressive and warrior-like.”

Viloria said fighting in the Philippines before a homecrowd for the first time in his career won’t add to the pressure of trying to dethrone Solis.

“It’s not pressure, it’s motivation to fight before my countrymen,” said Viloria who traces his roots to Narvacan, Ilocos Sur. “I know Solis has a reputation as a Fil-executioner. That’s going to change when we get it on.”

Solis, 27, is making the ninth defense of the title he won on a 12-round decision over Will Grigsby in 2006. Three challengers whom he has victimized were Filipinos Rodel Mayol (KO8), Bert Batawang (KO9) and Glenn Donaire (W12). Solis boasts a record of 28-1-2, with 20 KOs, since turning pro in 2000 compared to Viloria’s 24-2, with 14 KOs.

Two common opponents were Ortiz and Jose Antonio Aguirre. Viloria halted Ortiz in one round while Solis took nine to dispose of the Mexican. Aguirre was decisioned by Viloria and was knocked out in nine by Solis.

“I’ve seen a lot of (Solis’) fights,” said Viloria, quoted by Ryan Songalia in the boxingscene website. “He has a great jab. He’s a good defensive fighter but I don’t think he can stand in there with a guy with my style. I’ve seen the way to beat him and I’ve trained for that type of style. Just bring it to him and I’m world champion again.”

Viloria is coming off five straight wins since losing a majority decision to Edgar Sosa for the vacant WBC lightflyweight title in 2007. He was devastating in his last outing, flattening Benjamin Garcia in two rounds in Los Angeles.

“2008 was crucial for me,” continued Viloria, quoted by Songalia. “It gave me back the mentality of a world-caliber fighter. It gave me the chance to be comfortable in the ring again. I’m back to being the old Brian.”

On the same card, IBF flyweight champion Nonito Donaire Jr. makes the third defense of his crown against unbeaten Mexican-American challenger Raul (Cobra) Martinez.

During the boxoffs to decide the US lightflyweight representative to the 2000 Sydney Olympics, Viloria scored a disputed decision over Donaire. For a while, there was bad blood between the fighters and it was rumored they would settle their differences in the ring as pros.

But Donaire said the animosity is long gone. In a recent telephone conversation, Donaire invited Viloria to join him in his training camp in Baguio City.

“I wish Brian all the best,” said Donaire. “I told him let’s draw inspiration from Manny Pacquiao and give our best for our country on March 22. I respect Brian a lot and I know he’ll be a world champion again.”