NIETES AND VILORIA'S CONTRASTING FATE IN SUPERFLY 2
By Maloney L. Samaco
PhilBoxing.com
Tue, 27 Feb 2018
Donnie Nietes and Brian Viloria sparred and practiced together at the Wild Card Boxing Club of trainer Freddie Roach. They fought in the same event dubbed Superfly 2 last Saturday at the Fabulous Forum in Inglewood, California. But the outcomes of their respective fights resulted in contrasting fashion.
Nietes made easy work of Argentinean challenger Juan Carlos Reveco, winning by seventh round TKO, successfully defending his IBF flyweight title. While Viloria lost by a lopsided unanimous decision to Ukrainian Artem Dalakian for the vacant WBA flyweight title.
It was Nietes' show right from the opening bell, outscoring the Argentine challenger and connecting combinations to his head and body. Nietes pounced Reveco with a right hand to the head in the sixth round that wobbled him. In the seventh round, Nietes sent Reveco to the canvas with a flurry to the head. He was able to beat the count, but his corner threw in the towel, provoking the referee to stop the fight at 53 seconds.
Upon the order of the ringside physician, Reveco was taken to a nearby hospital for examination. After a very triumphant defense of his flyweight title, Donnie Nietes is all ready to move up to the super flyweight division.
"I'm very proud to defend my title in front of all the great Filipino fans here in Los Angeles," said Nietes over ABS-CBN. "I want the biggest fights either at this weight or to move up."
Nietes would like to face, as his next foe, former four division champion and pound-for-pound king Roman "Chocolatito" Gonzalez or WBC super flyweight champion Srisaket Sor Rungvisai, who successfully defeated Juan Francisco Estrada in the Superfly 2 main event.
Viloria and his team will need more time to ponder on his career after his disheartening loss to Dalakian for the vacant WBA flyweight title. The fight was contested just before the Superfly2 broadcast began on HBO. Viloria suffered his sixth loss against 38 victories, 23 by KOs, and ended with the Hawaiian Punch's face drenched in blood following an elbow by the Ukrainian opponent on his forehead in the 11th round.
?Naturally, we?re all crestfallen about the way things went last night. It?s impossible (and unwise) to make immediate decisions about the future,? Gary Gittelsohn, Viloria?s manager, was quoted RingTV.com's Ryan Songalia. ?Brian deserves time to rest and be with his family following a gallant, brave effort. In the coming weeks, we?ll put our heads together and make decisions in the calm of objective analysis.?
Max Kellerman of HBO commented that "Viloria has had an excellent career, and a bit of a hard luck one, a popular fighter when he turned pro, an Olympian, an offensive fighter, a crowd pleaser, a good personality."
?I feel proud and privileged to be associated with a man of Brian?s talent, character and accomplishment. He?s a credit to the sport, and I have the deepest admiration for him,? said Gittelsohn.
The 30-year-old Dalakian, who is younger than Viloria by seven years, was the aggressor since the opening round, landing hooks and crosses from nowhere. Dalakian used an awkward stance and excessive aggression to build his advantage over Viloria, whose punches became fewer as the fight near its end. All three judges scored the bout 118-109 for Dalakian.
"He's a very tough guy," said Viloria, after the fight. "It was a very, tough fight. He kept his distance. I could never get inside of him like I wanted to."
While Nietes is planning to move up in weight, Viloria is contemplating to retire. Contrasting fate by the two flyweights. We wish both fighters all the best.
Click here to view a list of other articles written by Maloney L. Samaco.
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