Viloria vows to regain title
By Joaquin Henson
PhilBoxing.com
Mon, 15 Jan 2018
Brian Viloria is out to prove he?s still on top of his game when the Hawaiian Punch battles unbeaten Artem Dalakian of Ukraine for the vacant WBA flyweight title at the Forum in Inglewood, California, on Feb. 24.
Viloria, 37, is a former IBF/WBC lightflyweight and WBA/WBO flyweight titlist. When Japan?s Kazuto Ioka relinquished the WBA 112-pound championship last November, the governing body picked No. 1 contender Dalakian and No. 2 contender Viloria to dispute the vacant throne.
?I?ve worked very hard to earn this shot for a fifth world title and I?m not going to let it slip away,? said Viloria. ?I won my first world title in Los Angeles and I couldn?t be more excited to be back home to fight for the championship in front of my friends, family and supportive fans.?
Viloria lives in Los Angeles with his wife Erica and their son Tyler. In 2005, he claimed his first world title via an opening round knockout over Eric Ortiz for the WBC lightflyweight belt at the Staples Center in L. A.
?I?ve been working in the gym for more than a month in the hope that this fight would materialize,? said Viloria. ?I want to thank Mr. (Akihiko) Honda and his staff at Teiken Promotions for delivering this opportunity, and also to Tom Loeffler of 360 Promotions for including this bout on the second successful ?Superfly? event. I?m eager to prove once again that I?m the premier flyweight in the world and you can count on seeing the best Brian Viloria ever. I?ve always given the fans an honest account in the ring and they won?t be disappointed on February 24.?
The bout will be shown on HBO Boxing After Dark. It?s an added attraction to the second edition of HBO?s superflyweight series. Viloria is coming off back-to-back wins over Mexicans Ruben Montoya and Miguel Cartagena to raise his record to 38-5, with 23 KOs. Dalakian, 30, is the WBA Continental and International flyweight ruler. His record is 15-0, with 11 KOs. It will be Dalakian?s first fight outside of Ukraine.
?Viloria is a good boxer and was a champion but his time is up,? said Dalakian who was born in Azerbaijan and is now based in Ukraine. ?I?m going to the US to become a world champion and to prove to everyone that I?m the best.?
Ioka, 28, is a three-division world champion who recently ended his ring career in the wake of a split from his father and trainer Kazunori over his marriage to singer Nana Tanimura last May. Ioka hasn?t fought since retaining the WBA title on a decision over Thailand?s Noknoi Sittiprasert in Osaka last April. His father cited ?lack of motivation? in suggesting retirement and Ioka made it official a few days ago.
Photo: Brian Viloria (L) trains with Marvin Somodion at the Wildcard Gym in Los Angeles.
Click here to view a list of other articles written by Joaquin Henson.
Recent PhilBoxing.com In-House articles:
SPORTS SHORTS 285: AMIR KHAN ACCEPTS OFFER FOR AN EXHIBITION MATCH WITH MANNY PACQUIAO
By Maloney L. Samaco, Mon, 25 Nov 2024FOGOUM, TOSHIHIKO, KIM, RATTAWUT, RUF, CHUTINAN IN ACTION IN HIGHLAND’S EXCITING “SHOWDOWN” NOV 28 AT SPACEPLUS IN BANGKOK, THAILAND
By Carlos Costa, Mon, 25 Nov 2024Gil Robiego Co Elected New APPBRO President for 2025-2027
By Carlos Costa, Mon, 25 Nov 2024Garma wins, climbs to 8th place
By Marlon Bernardino, Mon, 25 Nov 2024Davao futsal scores 1st win
By Lito delos Reyes, Mon, 25 Nov 2024Filipino FIDE Master Mario Mangubat is the new FIDE World Senior 65 over category Rapid Champion
Sun, 24 Nov 2024Thunderdome 48 - Jude Grant vs Fano Kori
Sun, 24 Nov 2024World Boxing backs plan to create a new Confederation in Asia
Sun, 24 Nov 2024The message is clear – Asian Boxing Confederation remains united with the IBA
Sun, 24 Nov 2024OSCAR DE LA HOYA FOUNDATION HOSTS 25TH ANNUAL TURKEY GIVEAWAY FOR EAST LOS ANGELES COMMUNITY
Sun, 24 Nov 2024Life vs. Death: The Ultimate Ringside Showdown Immortalized in Pierce Egan’s Boxiana
By Emmanuel Rivera, RRT, Sat, 23 Nov 2024SPORTS SHORTS 284: TEAM MARK MAGSAYO CONFIRMS RETURN TO THE RING ON DECEMBER 14
By Maloney L. Samaco, Sat, 23 Nov 2024RJP Boxing promotes in Bucana on Dec. 17
By Lito delos Reyes, Sat, 23 Nov 2024Good Prospects at Minimumweight, Light Fly, Super Bantam and Super Feather in 2025
By Teodoro Medina Reynoso, Sat, 23 Nov 2024Filipino International Master Chito Danilo Garma is the new World Senior Blitz champion; Filipino FIDE Master Mario Mangubat takes the bronze medal
By Marlon Bernardino, Sat, 23 Nov 2024