Quietly, Viloria comes home

MANILA, Philippines - It must have been quiet inside the airport when Brian Viloria, the reigning WBO and WBA flyweight champion, arrived from Los Angeles yesterday morning.

He was scheduled to arrive at 5:55 a.m., so it came as a surprise when the PAL jumbo jet carrying the Fil-American boxer came in two hours ahead of time.

Viloria arrived with his wife, Erika, almost a week after he unified the flyweight titles with a sensational 10th round knockout of Mexican Hernan “Tyson” Marquez in LA.

There was hardly any fanfare when the Vilorias stepped out of the tube. Most mediamen missed covering his arrival because it came way ahead of the original schedule.

But Viloria, who celebrated his 32nd birthday yesterday, didn’t care. He took a seat, faced those who were around and fielded questions.

Viloria, who proudly traces his roots in Ilocos, was asked about his immediate plans, and while he said he wants to rest for a couple of months, he shared some of his thoughts.

The boxer, who has strung up six straight victories since a painful loss to Panama’s Carlos Tamara at the Cuneta Astrodome in 2010, is weighing his options before making a decision.

But he hinted that a rematch with Marquez, who is seven years younger than he is, may no longer be an option.

“I don’t see any reason for it. I controlled the fight from the start,” Viloria was quoted by GMA-7 News as saying. 

“It was a phenomenal night – a dream come true,” he added.

Viloria floored Marquez late in the opening round, and sent the Mexican down once more in the fifth round after a rugged exchange that had Viloria looking spent.

But he managed to hold on and in the 10th round, he unleashed another killer blow that decked Marquez who still managed to beat the count.

It was when Viloria, like fine wine getting better with age, went for the kill when Marquez trainer, Robert Garcia, threw in the towel.

Garcia used to be Viloria’s trainer.

There’s also a possibility that Viloria will be pitted against another Filipino, Milan Melindo, who was recently named the No. 1 challenger by the WBO.

Unless Viloria vacates the WBO crown, he may be forced to take on Melindo early next year.  But Viloria may have other things in mind.

“But I don’t want to fight against another Pinoy,” said Viloria.

One option is for Viloria to vacate the WBO crown and leave it open for Melindo, and then defend the WBA title against Nicaraguan Roman “Chocolatito” Gonzalez or push for another unification bout with either WBC flyweight champion Toshiyaki Igarashi of Japan or IBF king Moruti Mthalane of South Africa.

But Viloria is in no hurry.  

“I know we have a hectic schedule ahead of us,” he said.

For now, let him enjoy the victory.