WHAT IS NEXT FOR BRIAN VILORIA?
By Marlon Bernardino
PhilBoxing.com
Wed, 22 Feb 2006
IF plans push through, Brian Viloria will be defending his title on the same card as the peppery champion who fought before him last Sunday (in Manila) at the Aladdin Hotel and Casino in Las Vegas, Nevada.
The fighter’s manager Gary Gittelsohn said they are grooming Viloria and World Boxing Organization (WBO) minimumweight champion Ivan Calderon of Puerto Rico as future rivals.
Calderon outclassed Isaac Bustos of Mexico before Viloria’s unanimous decision triumph over another Mexican Jose Antonio Aguirre.
One of the options is for Viloria to defend his World Boxing Council (WBC) light flyweight title in Calderon’s homeland.
“There’s a lot of interest in Viloria-Calderon fight,” said Gittelsohn. “Calderon is planning to move up in the light flyweight division. They’re both Olympians and undefeated.”
Calderon sports a 25-0 record. He was nicknamed “Iron Boy” because of his endurance. The 31-year-old won 20 of his fights by unanimous decision.
Viloria and Calderon have met four times as amateur boxers with the “Hawaiian Punch” prevailing thrice.
“They know each other well enough to start a rivalry,” said Calderon.
If everything falls into place for the son of Ilocano couple from Narvacan, Ilocos Sur, the megabuck duel with interim WBC flyweight champion Jorge Arce of Mexico may come sooner than later.
Arce was at ringside to watch Viloria’s first title-defense and expressed willingness to rumble with the latter anytime, anywhere.
“I’ll fight Viloria even on his backyard,” said Arce, conqueror of Filipino pugs Juanito Rubilliar (twice) and Jovan Presbitero.
Viloria is also raring to go.
“He (Arce) is a great fighter and a respected champion,” said Viloria. “Anyone who knows boxing knows that it would be an unbelievable fight. That’s the kind of fight I want to be in. it’s the kind of fight I have to be in.”
Click here to view a list of other articles written by Marlon Bernardino.
Recent PhilBoxing.com In-House articles:
Pacquiao and Barrios Make Weight: Final Hurdle Cleared for Blockbuster Saturday Night
By Dong Secuya, Sat, 19 Jul 2025Usyk Registers Career-Heaviest Weight as Dubois Looks Ready for Undisputed Rematch at Wembley
Sat, 19 Jul 2025Rodriguez vs. Cafu Unification Clash Set for Frisco, Texas; All Fighters Make Weight
By Dong Secuya, Sat, 19 Jul 2025LOPEZ VS. VARGAS WEIGHTS FROM PECHANGA RESORT CASINO
Sat, 19 Jul 2025“Bambol” Tolentino in Las Vegas: Supporting Filipino Athletes and Pacquiao
By Carlos Costa, Fri, 18 Jul 2025Unstoppable: Team Philippines Storms Into Davis Cup Finals After Qatar Sweep
By Marlon Bernardino, Fri, 18 Jul 2025Blu Girls Stumble Against Taipei, Look to Regroup vs. Hong Kong
By Marlon Bernardino, Fri, 18 Jul 2025Fighting for clean sweep
By Joaquin Henson, Fri, 18 Jul 2025WBA No. 2 Heavyweight Contender Michael Hunter Is Ready to Take on World Champion Kubrat Pulev; All Systems Go for Purse Bid Winner Don King
Fri, 18 Jul 2025Weights from Panama City; WBA Women's Interim Superfly Title at Stake
By Gabriel F. Cordero, Fri, 18 Jul 2025Undefeated prospect Pryce Taylor Working hard to join Brooklyn’s Elite list of top heavyweight boxers
Fri, 18 Jul 2025Justin Goossen-Brown Set to Make DAZN Broadcasting Debut This Friday at Boxlab Promotions’ Night of Champions in Orlando
Fri, 18 Jul 2025Philippine Davis Cup Team Sweeps Kuwait to Stay Unbeaten in Group IV
By Marlon Bernardino, Fri, 18 Jul 2025Pacquiao Promises Surprise Against Barrios
By Lito delos Reyes, Fri, 18 Jul 2025PACQUIAO VS. BARRIOS UNDERCARD MEDIA WORKOUT QUOTES
Fri, 18 Jul 2025