VILORIA WINS HIS THIRD WORLD TITLE IN STYLE
By Ronnie Nathanielsz
PhilBoxing.com
Mon, 18 Jul 2011
Former two-time world light flyweight champion Brian Viloria fulfilled his dream of winning a third crown by scoring a unanimous twelve round decision over hard-hitting Mexican champion Julio Cesar ?Pingo? Miranda before a cheering throng of supporters at the Blaisdell Arena in Honolulu, Hawaii on Sunday, Manila Time.
Viloria stunned Miranda in the opening round when he dropped him at 1:04 of the round with a perfect right followed by a cracking left hook that saw referee Joe Cortez give the champion a standing eight count.
All three judges in the fight telecast by ABC 5, scored the fight for the Filipino whose parents are from Ilocos Sur but who grew up in Waipahu and represented the US in the 2000 Sydney Olympics.
Judge Robert Hoyle scored it for Viloria by a wide 117-110 margin , Ruben Garcia of Texas had it a much closer 114-113 while Tamotsu Tomihara had Viloria the winner 115-113.
Despite being dropped in the opening round Miranda fought back and tried to bully Viloria who often engaged the tough Mexican with a fearsome knockout record in furious exchanges, never backing off.
However, when he needed to Viloria listened to his corner-man Ruben Gomez and used his ring savvy to pile up points with a stinging left jab and flurries to the body in an effort to wear down Miranda who appeared gaunt after having to reduce two pounds to make the 112 pound weight limit on Saturday..
After losing a 10-8 opening round Miranda came charging back in the second but Viloria was unfazed and nailed the Mexican with some hard body shots.
It was Viloria?s first appearance at the Blaisdell Arena since he successfully defended his IBF 108 pound title against Jesus Iribe of Mexico in a twelve round unanimous decision on August 29, 2009.
It was Miranda?s fourth defense of the title he won by a 5th round knockout over another Filipino Richie Mepranum.
Miranda caught Viloria flush on the face that rocked his head back a couple of times but every time Miranda tried to put the pressure on, Viloria used his excellent footwork and speed to good effect.
The champion used his elbow in round six and also caught Viloria with a low blow which refree Joe Cortez apparently didn?t see before the challenger hurt Miranda with an excellent combination as he pinned him against the ropes.
Viloria caught Miranda with another solid body shot that sent the champion against the ropes before connecting with several combinations that had Miranda in trouble in round seven.
The crowd rose in unison as Viloria who is a favorite in Hawaii landed three solid rights in round nine even as Miranda continued to press the action hoping to catch the challenger with one big punch. But Viloria proved to be too smart and went on to deservedly win his third world title.
In a post fight interview immediately after the fight and before the official press conference the newly crowned champion told the Daily Inquirer ?It was my speed and better foot movement and the body shots which took a lot out of him. He was frustrated and tired towards the end.?
On the undercard super featherweight Michael Farenas and light flyweight Denver Cuello made it a clean sweep for the Philippines. Cuello dropped Puerto Rico?s Omar Soto (15-7-1, 6 KO?s) innumerable times before the referee called a halt to the mismatch in 56 seconds of round two to set Cuello in line for a possible world title shot behind a record of 26-4-6 with 16 knockouts.
Farenas suffered a nasty cut above his right eyelid in the opening round against Mexico? Fernando Beltran Jr in an accidental clash of heads but some solid shots to the body and head somehow appeared to negate the workmanlike performance of Beltran (35-5-1, 19 KO?s) with the judges scoring the fight for Farenas (31-3-3, 26 KO?s) by a split decision.
Two judges based on what the ring announcer said scored the fight for the Filipino in a battle of southpaws 78-74 and 78-75 while the third judge scored the fight for Beltran who appeared to have done enough to win 80-76.
The decision in favor of Farenas was roundly booed by the fans while both Beltran and his trainer could only shake their heads in disbelief.
Photo Credit: Greg Honda / BoxingScene.com
Click here to view a list of other articles written by Ronnie Nathanielsz.
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