Solis pays tribute to Pinoy warriors

MANILA, Philippines - IBF lightflyweight champion Ulises (Archie) Solis of Mexico said the other day he respects Filipino fighters for their punching ability and raw courage but without a tinge of arrogance, gave challenger Brian Viloria no chance to wrest the 108-pound title in their 12-round bout at the Araneta Coliseum this Sunday morning.

Solis, 27, is making the ninth defense of the crown he won on a 12-round decision over Will Grigsby in 2006. Among the eight challengers he has repulsed were Filipinos Rodel Mayol (KO8), Bert Batawang (KO9) and Glenn Donaire (W12).

“I came to Manila to win,” said Solis. “I have a high regard for Filipino fighters. They’re hard punchers and very brave in the ring. Viloria is a particularly tough challenger because aside from being a hard hitter, he is technically proficient. But I’m confident of winning.”

Solis said coming to Manila was his way of paying back the Filipinos who’ve faced him in Mexico. Batawang fought Solis in Guadalajara and Donaire in Hermosillo. Now, he said it’s his turn to visit Manila.

“I have no secrets,” said Solis. “I’ll fight the style I’m comfortable with. I don’t know what Viloria plans to do. I’ll study his moves in the first round then decide how to counterattack. But for sure, I’m fighting my fight, not his. I’ll do whatever it takes to win.”

Solis said his all-time favorite fighters include Julio Cesar Chavez, Miguel Canto, Salvador Sanchez and Jose (Mantequilla) Napoles.

“I’ve studied their styles and I picked up a lot from them in coming up with my own style,” he said. “My defense is like Canto’s and my offense is like Napoles’. I will show Viloria a lot of moves. This isn’t a mandatory defense but I accepted the offer because I like challenges. Some people think I’m crazy for agreeing to fight Viloria in Manila. They’re wrong. I know what I’m doing.”

Solis said he couldn’t care less who the referee and judges are.

“I’m not bothered,” he said. “I have a job to do and I take that job seriously. The referee and judges have a job to do, too. I’m not worried about a hometown decision. All I know is I’m going back home to Mexico with my title intact.”

Bruce McTavish of New Zealand will be the third man in the ring for Solis’ defense against Viloria. The judges are Yongsak Nsongkla of Thailand, Muhammad Rois of Indonesia and John Wright of Australia. Supervising the fight is IBF official Ray Wheatley of Australia.

As for Manila’s humid weather, Solis said he’s used to it. “Guadalajara, my hometown, is just as hot although it’s a lot more humid in Manila,” he continued. “I can adapt to any condition. Fighting late morning is also not a problem. It’s a matter of adjustment.”

In his first visit to Manila, Solis said he is impressed. “The people are friendly and hospitable,” he said. “I hope this isn’t my last visit. Going around the city, I see a lot of people working for a living. I admire people who work hard. It’s just like in Mexico.

A bachelor, Solis is third to the youngest in a brood of 11 children, including seven boys. The youngest Eduardo is an aspiring amateur fighter and flew in with him. Older brother Jorge, who lost to Manny Pacquiao on an eighth round knockout in San Antonio two years ago, arrived last Wednesday. Solis’ father Aurelio sells tacos at a flea market in Guadalajara and his mother Maria is a housewife.