VILORIA SEEKS UNIFICATION TITLE FIGHT IN MARCH
By Ronnie Nathanielsz
PhilBoxing.com
Mon, 19 Dec 2011
WBO flyweight champion Brian Viloria is seeking a unification title fight sometime in March next year against either WBC champion Pongsaklek Wonjongkam of Thailand or WBA champion Hernan Marquez of Mexico.
Viloria spoke to the Manila Standard prior to returning to Los Angeles with his wife Erika, yesterday evening.
He said ?what I really want to do is a unification with one of the champions. Hopefully that will happen but I?m not sure who is going to be up next.?
Viloria said ?we are looking at (Hernan) Marquez and (Pongsaklek) Wonjongkam.? He also indicated ?I don?t know how big its going to be but a possible match with Ivan Calderon. Whatever will make sense.?
Viloria retained his title with a masterful 8th round TKO in a mandatory defense against former light flyweight champion and Ring Magazine?s No. 9 in the pound for pound rankings Giovanni Segura of Mexico last December 11 in a fight card presented by Solar Sports in cooperation with Zanfer Promotions at the Ynares Sports Arena in Pasig City.
Pongsaklek is the 34 year old Thai southpaw with a record of 83-3-1 with 44 knockouts. He won the title with a stunning 1st round TKO over the Philippines Malcolm Tunacao on March 2, 2001 and had 17 successful title defenses before losing to Japan?s Daisuke Naito on July 18, 2007 in Tokyo.
Pongsaklek regained the interim title with a win over Julio Cesar ?Pingo? Miranda on April 24, 2009. Miranda is the same fighter from whom Viloria won the title at the Blaisdell Arena in Honolulu last July 16. In his last title defense Pongsaklek won a twelve round unanimous decision over former champion and one time Viloria conqueror Edgar Sosa, last October 21.
The 23 year old southpaw Marquez has a record of 32-2 with 25 knockouts. He won the title with an 11th round TKO over Luis Concepcion on April 2, 2011.
Marquez had previously lost to Nonito ?The Filipino Flash? Donaire via an 8th round TKO in an interim super flyweight title bout in Puerto Rico on July 10, 2010 which Donaire dominated, dropping Marquez in rounds 5 and 8.
The 36 year old Calderon, also a southpaw, was twice knocked out by Segura who won the title from the previously unbeaten Puerto Rican on August 28, 2010 with an 8th round knockout. Calderon has a record of 35-2-1 with 6 knockouts.
Viloria (R) with the author.
Click here to view a list of other articles written by Ronnie Nathanielsz.
Recent PhilBoxing.com In-House articles:
Thailand to host WBC 63rd Annual Convention in Phuket in November
By Gabriel F. Cordero, Wed, 30 Apr 2025Naoya Inoue vs. Ramon Cardenas Fight Week Events to Stream LIVE on Top Rank’s Social Media Channels
Wed, 30 Apr 2025Raymond Muratalla: "I’m Ready to Show Out on May 10!"
Wed, 30 Apr 2025Training Camp Notes: Undefeated Lightweight Kaipo Gallegos Prepares for Clash with Pedro Castaneda Castro on May 9 in Orlando
Wed, 30 Apr 2025“THE KING OF THE FOUR ROUNDERS” ERIC “BUTTERBEAN” ESCH TO ATTEND 2025 HALL OF FAME WEEKEND
Wed, 30 Apr 2025Action Summary Week Ending 28 April 2025
By Eric Armit, Tue, 29 Apr 2025Butler, Green Show Up on Rockets in 109-106 Win
By Teodoro Medina Reynoso, Tue, 29 Apr 2025Jerusalem Leads Five Pinoys in Ring's Ratings; Japan Dominates the Lower Weights Class
By Teodoro Medina Reynoso, Tue, 29 Apr 2025Dableo Second in Sydney Standard Tournament
By Marlon Bernardino, Tue, 29 Apr 2025Dreamland: Where Filipino Fists Lit Up San Francisco Nights
By Emmanuel Rivera, RRT, Mon, 28 Apr 2025IM Concio wins Victoria Sports Club Rapid Chess Tournament
By Marlon Bernardino, Mon, 28 Apr 2025Tapales bags WBC International Silver super bantamweight title
By Lito delos Reyes, Mon, 28 Apr 2025Boston, NY and Minnesota One Win Away; Push Orlando, Detroit and LAL on Brink
By Teodoro Medina Reynoso, Mon, 28 Apr 2025Sasaki Guns for Japan's First World Welterweight Title, Honor as Asia's Best Asian Boxing Nation
By Teodoro Medina Reynoso, Mon, 28 Apr 2025Raga beats Bañares in SBA Philippine Open, pockets ₱400,000 cash prize
By Marlon Bernardino, Mon, 28 Apr 2025