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:
Jonas Magpantay bags P300,000 with Congressman Jeffrey Ferrer 10-Ball title win
By Marlon Bernardino, Wed, 06 May 2026Abdullah Mason Returns Home for Lightweight World Title Defense against Joe Cordina July 4 at Cleveland State University’s Wolstein Center
Wed, 06 May 2026Christopher Guerrero to face Delante Johnson on July 4 at the CSU Wolstein Center in Cleveland!
Wed, 06 May 2026Yanong and Horiike make weight in Japan for OPBF 140 lb. title
By Lito delos Reyes, Tue, 05 May 2026Kulog at Kidlat: Boxing, Art, Thunder and Lightning at the 3rd Pacquiao–Elorde Awards
By Emmanuel Rivera, RRT, Tue, 05 May 2026Camique forced to fight after food poisoning; hospitalized after losing by UD
By Lito delos Reyes, Tue, 05 May 2026Tony Tolj Previews Thunderdome 54
Tue, 05 May 2026Mexican boxing historian Eduardo Lamazón passes away at 70
By Gabriel F. Cordero, Tue, 05 May 2026NM Rolly Parondo rules Thailand FIDE Rated Rapid Chess Tournament
By Marlon Bernardino, Tue, 05 May 2026Wardley vs Dubois: 95% KO Power Collides in Manchester — Winner Gets Usyk Next
By Carlos Costa, Tue, 05 May 2026Former Cuban champions Gamboa and Rigondeaux returns on May 30 in Fort Lauderdale
By Gabriel F. Cordero, Tue, 05 May 2026Pido to defend crown in SIGLO 100km Ultramarathon
By Lito delos Reyes, Tue, 05 May 2026Yanong arrives in Japan
By Lito delos Reyes, Mon, 04 May 2026OLEKSANDR USYK VS RICO VERHOEVEN ‘GLORY IN GIZA’ TICKETS ON SALE NOW FOR HISTORIC UNDISPUTED CLASH IN EGYPT – LIVE ON DAZN
Mon, 04 May 2026Parade of champs
By Joaquin Henson, Sun, 03 May 2026