'I hope Brian's reign will be longer'

MANILA, Philippines - Brian Viloria burst into tears trying to recall the hardships he faced on his way back to the top.

“You don’t know what I went through going back here,” said Viloria who flashed his old “Hawaiian Punch” to knock out Mexico’s Ulises Solis yesterday and crown himself the new International Boxing Federation light-flyweight champion.

“I fought in a swap meet and in places where people didn’t even want to go,” said Viloria in between sobs as he faced the press moments after the victory that helped him regain his pride and the respect he once enjoyed as champion.

Viloria won the WBC light-flyweight crown from Eric Ortiz in 2005 but lost it to Omar Nino the following year. Twice he tried to regain it and twice he failed, leading people to believe that the 5-foot-4 slugger was done.

But Viloria never got discouraged and fought his way back to the top, winning five matches last year in places where world champions are rarely seen — Plaza Monumental in Mexico, El Cajon in California and a swap meet somewhere in Los Angeles.

He was determined to get another shot at glory, and against Solis, he proved his critics wrong.

“If I lost this one I would have to reconsider my future in boxing,” he admitted as his manager, Gary Gittelsohn, and trainer, Rob Garcia, flanked him inside the Araneta Coliseum press room.

A few times he had to pause and fight back his tears. He drew a big round of applause from those who packed the room.

“I’d like to thank Gary who asked me then if I still had it in my heart to go back and be a champion. He gave me all the opportunities and I thank him for that. And there’s Rob, too, and my team,” said Viloria.

“This is really an emotional win for me,” he added.

Top Rank president Bob Arum joined Viloria in the post-fight interview and hoped that this time, Viloria’s reign as champion will be longer than the first.

“When you come back like the way he’s done then your a real champion. I just hope that this time it’ll be a lot longer,” said Arum.

Solis, who wore cuts above his eyes, said he wasn’t surprised with the outcome because he never expected an easy fight against Viloria. He said he wants a rematch.

“Solis came here and Brian can go to Mexico to face him again. But under the right circumstances. It was to be carefully discussed and negotiated. Brian’s stardom has just started. Let’s enjoy the moment first,” Gittelsohn said.

“I like happy endings and in this sport there aren’t many,” added the manager.

Viloria, who was in control from start to finish, said he knew he had it right in the opening round, and until he delivered that perfect right cross that sent Solis down in the dying seconds of the 11th round, and lying on the canvas for some time.

“I was just in a zone out there. But now I can say that I’m still learning and that’s the scary part. This is just the beginning. We won it in the camp. I can’t remember the last time I was enjoying to wake up at six in the morning and run and spar and train in the gym,” he said.

And now he’s back as champion. – Abac Cordero