Viloria wants payback from Romero

MANILA, Philippines - Coming off a banner year in 2011, Filipino boxing champion Brian “The Hawaiian Punch” Viloria puts his WBO flyweight title at stake in his much-awaited match against Mexican Omar Niño “The Giant Killer” Romero tomorrow.

The fight titled “Laban ng Lahi Presents Island Assault 4: Viloria vs Romero” airs live with no delays from the Ynares Sports Complex in Pasig at 9:30 a.m. on GMA Network.

After capturing the WBO flyweight belt from Julio Cesar Miranda in July 2011 and delivering a decisive victory over another Mexican fighter, Giovanni Segura, in December, Viloria makes it his personal mission to finally claim victory against Romero in their third fight.

In their first meeting in Aug. 2006, Viloria lost his WBC light flyweight crown to Romero via unanimous decision. This was followed by a “no contest” decision due to Romero’s failure to pass in the post-fight drug test, although judges’ scorecards originally scored the fight as a majority draw. 

Regarded as a much better fighter now, Viloria, who traces his roots to Ilocos, is out to finally put a victorious finale to his trilogy against Romero and bring honor anew to the country.

Viloria, 31, holds a record of 30 wins including 17 knockouts, 3 losses and 0 draw against Romero’s 31 wins including 13 knockouts, 4 losses and 2 draws, who is four years Viloria’s senior.

Viloria joins the ranks of current Filipino boxing champions including WBO welterweight champion and pound-for-pound king Manny Pacquiao, IBA women’s bantamweight queen Ana “The Hurricane” Julaton, WBO super bantamweight champion Nonito Donaire, WBC flyweight titlist Sonny Boy Jaro, and WBO light flyweight belt holder Donnie Nietes.

“Laban ng Lahi Presents Island Assault 4: Viloria vs Romero” airs tomorrow, live at 9:30 a.m., on GMA-7.