Viloria back to defend title for countrymen

MANILA, Philippines - It’s not only going to be a homecoming of sorts for Brian Viloria, but a title defense as well in front of his adoring countrymen.

Viloria stakes his International Boxing Federation (IBF) light-flyweight title against Mexican Jesus Iribe on Aug. 30 in a showdown that would be the champion’s first fight in Hawaii in six years.

Viloria resides in Waipahu, Hawaii but was born in Honolulu to Filipino parents.

The bout billed as “Island Assault” is set at the Blaisdell Center in Honolulu, where Viloria dubbed the “Hawaiian Punch”, once fought early in his pro career.

But it was in Sheraton Hotel in Waikiki that Viloria last saw action in the US state island, scoring an eight-round technical knockout against Valentin Leon in 2003.

So many things had since happened in Viloria’s colorful but controversy-filled career, the latest of which was his stunning ascent back on top following a shocking upset of favored Ulises Solis in their world title fight at the Araneta Coliseum last April.

While Iribe may not be in the same class as Solis, he’s just as dangerous as the former IBF champion.

A Mexican like Solis, Iribe is the reigning Mexican and Federation of Boxing Commissions (Fecombox) light flyweight champion and ranked in the top 20 by the IBF.

He comes from the boxing rich town of Culiacan in Sinaloa, Mexico, hometown of Mexican boxing legend Julio Cesar Chavez Sr.

The Mexican challenger is coming off an eight round TKO win over Angel Rezago to retain his Fecombox title, raising his record to 15-5-5 overall, including nine KOs.

Viloria is now in the midst of his two–month training for the fight in Oxnard, California. He sports a record of 25-2 with 15 KOs.