VILORIA RETAINS IBF WORLD TITLE
By Rene Bonsubre, Jr.
PhilBoxing.com
Mon, 31 Aug 2009
Brian ?The Hawaiian Punch? Viloria used his excellent technical skills and hand speed to outlast a tough Jesus ?Azul? Iribe in their twelve round title bout for the IBF light flyweight crown.
Viloria was doing well in the first six rounds as he baffled Iribe with his combination punching. In the fifth and sixth, Viloria rocked the Mexican with one two combinations to the head. But in the seventh, the tide seemed to turn as Iribe fought back.
Iribe was a lot tougher than what his pre-fight 15 wins 5 losses and 5 draws record would suggest. In the ninth and tenth he continued to take Viloria?s best punches. In the twelfth and final round both fighters chose to throw caution to the winds and slug it out.
The judges scored the bout 118-110, 117-112 and 117-111 all in favor of Viloria who successfully made his first title defense.
Viloria, who traces his Filipino roots to the Ilocos Region, also wants the WBO lt.flyweight belt of Ivan Calderon. But Rodel Mayol may beat him to it as the Mandaue City boxer will be fighting the Puerto Rican champ in a rematch this September.
Postscript:
Pinoys went three for three : AJ Banal showed he can also box with his impressive unanimous ten round win over Jose Angel Beranza.
Dennis Laurente?s unanimous decision win over Mexican Zaid Zavaleta was not shown in the free TV Philippine broadcast of this Hawaii fight card. Pinoy fight fans still hope to that they will show it on a delayed telecast.
Top photo: IBF light flyweight champion Brian Viloria (L) tags challenger Jesus Iribe with a left straight during their fight Saturday night at Blaisdell Arena in Honolulu, Hawaii.
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