Viloria targets Nicaraguan next

MANILA, Philippines - Former WBC/IBF lightflyweight and WBA/WBO flyweight champion Brian Viloria said yesterday his next target is Nicaragua’s Roman (Chocolatito) Gonzalez and he’s confident the momentum of four wins in a row, including a first round demolition of Mexico’s Omar Soto in Hollywood last Saturday, will propel him to another world title.

“We are targeting Chocolatito at the moment,” said Viloria referring to the WBC 112-pound titleholder. “I feel like I’m good to go for another title shot, given the momentum I’m on with four straight wins, three of them by KO.”

Viloria, 34, has won 10 of his last 11 outings, the only hiccup a loss by split decision to Mexico’s Juan Francisco Estrada in yielding his WBA/WBO crowns in Macau in April 2013. He bounced back from the Estrada bout to outpoint Juan Herrera then stopped Jose Alfredo Zuniga, Armando Vazquez and Soto in succession.

Against Soto, Viloria was devastating and unforgiving. In 2010, Viloria scored a split 10-round decision over Soto at the Ynares Sports Arena in Pasig. Last Saturday, the Hawaiian Punch made sure it wouldn’t go to the scorecards as he decked Soto thrice to end it at 2:02 of the first round.

“Gameplan with Soto was setting up my rights with jabs and also digging to the body,” Viloria told The Star. “Freddie (Roach) was happy and thrilled and thinks we’re ready for another title.” Working Viloria’s corner for the Soto rematch were Roach, his assistant Marvin Somodio and cutman Ruben Gomez.

Viloria said while Gonzalez is in his sights, a rematch with Estrada is a possibility. The problem is Estrada appears to be ducking Viloria. “We’re going to look at the strategy to beat either fighter (Gonzalez or Estrada) as soon as I get back to camp,” he said. “Right now, I want to enjoy this win (over Soto).”

Viloria’s manager Gary Gittelsohn said he will immediately open discussions with HBO for a Gonzalez fight at Madison Square Garden in New York City in a pay-per-view event on Oct. 17. “I don’t think Estrada or Gonzalez would be able to compete with the Brian who fought Soto,” said Gittelsohn. “Brian is a fully focused fighting machine. His performance against Soto was flawless. I’ve never seen him better. Gonzalez has looked to avoid Brian. But now, the heat is on. Gonzalez may very well have to face the music.”

The weight limit for the Soto fight was 113 pounds. Viloria scaled 112 3/4 but Soto came in at 114 1/2. “We allowed Soto to come in at 114 and change,” said Gittelsohn. “We were concerned that if he was docked a percentage of his purse, he would refuse to fight. Brian worked so hard and he was so ready to fight. Moreover, we wanted to cooperate in every way with the promotion and the TV network to avoid the breakdown of the main event. So we made the right decision and Brian took care of business.”

Somodio said he hopes Gonzalez will be Viloria’s next opponent. “I think it will be Chocolatito,” he said. “HBO is finding it difficult to find an opponent for Chocolatito. I know Brian is the only one out there willing to fight him. Brian is strong. He’s a flyweight who punches like a welterweight.”

Somodio said Gonzalez is tailor-made for Viloria. “Chocolatito is a come-forward fighter and that’s why he’ll be an easy target for Brian,” he said. “Once Brian connects, it could be the end for Chocolatito. I like Brian’s chances against Chocolatito.” Somodio said Roach was content with Viloria’s performance. “It was easy work,” he noted.

Gonzalez, 28, has a 43-0 record, with 37 KOs. Three of his knockout victims were Filipinos Rocky Fuentes, Juan Purisima and Eriberto Gejon. He has also stopped recent Donnie Nietes victim Francisco Rodriguez Jr. in seven rounds and Soto in two. Gonzalez has won his last nine bouts by knockout. Estrada once went the distance with Gonzalez and lost on points.

Gonzalez has notched nine wins in Japan, six in Mexico and four in the US so he’s not allergic to fighting on foreign soil. While his manager is Nicaraguan Carlos Blando Vidaurre, Gonzalez is promoted by Akihiko Honda’s Teiken outfit. Gonzalez is in the record books as one of the greatest Nicaraguan fighters ever with Alexis Arguello, Ricardo Mayorga and Rosendo Alvarez.