Viloria tries mettle vs Soto tonite

MANILA, Philippines - Former two-time world champion Brian Viloria launches his comeback fight tonight as he slugs it out with Mexican Omar Soto in a 10-round non-title bout at the Ynares Sports Arena in Pasig.

This marks Viloria’s first ring appearance in six months since yielding his IBF light flyweight title to Carlos Tamara of Colombia.

Now fighting as a flyweight, Viloria hopes to hurdle his Mexican rival and gain a crack at another world championship.

He made the weight limit at exactly 112 lbs in yesterday’s official weigh-in at the Ruby Hall Crown of the Galleria Hotel.

Soto tipped in at 111 and 1/2 pounds.

Following that heartbreaking loss at the Astrodome where the former Olympian from Honolulu, Hawaii collapsed in his dressing room after the fight, Viloria decided to move up in weight and campaign in the flyweight division.

“You’re going to see the best Brian Viloria. I’m not taking anything for granted. I’m going to show the real me,” said Viloria, who has a 26-3 record, including 15 KOs.

Billed “Unbreakable,” the promotion is the fourth installment of the Boxing At The Bay series put up by Solar TV and Solar Sports.

Soto, however, vowed to spoil Viloria’s comeback bid.

“I know he’s a very fast boxer. But my advantage is my speed. So it’s going to be a fast and intelligent fight this Saturday,” the 30-year old Mexican said.

Soto (19-6, 13 KOs) twice campaigned for a world title but lost both chances against Muhammad Rachman in 2006 (for the IBF minimumweight) and Omar Andres Narvaez just last year (World Boxing Organization flyweight).

Unlike Viloria, Soto drew with Juan Kantun in his last match three months ago in Mexico.

Serving as co-main event of the boxing program is the IBF Pan Pacific championship between Filipino Al Sabaupan and Wonchit Twins Gym of Thailand.