OFFENSE COULD BE BRIAN VILORIA'S BEST DEFENSE
By Marlon Bernardino
PhilBoxing.com
Fri, 11 Aug 2006
OFFENSE could be Brian Viloria's best defense when he takes on Mexican challenger Omar Nino Romero in their World Boxing Council (WBC) light flyweight title fight Thursday night (Friday morning in Manila) at the Orleans Hotel and Casino in Las Vegas, Nevada.
Viloria's trainer Freddie Roach wants the champion to attack early and often.
"I don’t want Brian pulling back from this guy," Roach said. "I like Brian best when he’s aggressive and let's the big shots go, not when he’s laying back and countering. If he backs up and lets this guy come forward, it will be to the other guy’s
advantage."
Romero's record looks impressive with 23 wins, including 10 by knockout, two defeats and one draw. His biggest catch is fellow Mexican and current WBC flyweight ruler Jorge Arce. They're both undefeated in four fights when Romero stopped Arce in just one round.
Roach had seen some of Romero's fights on tape and described the native of Guadalajara, Mexico as a tough, come-forward fighter, slow but dangerous with a looping right hand.
But he's quick to point out that both of Romero's defeats came inside the distance. "He's no bullet-proof," Roach said. "Brian's hand speed and power will be very critical in this fight."
Viloria, a proud son of Filipino parents, knows exactly what to do. His 19-0 card includes 12 knockout wins.
But his manager Gary Gittelsohn doesn't sound too confident.
"There is no easy fight in this division," Viloria's manager Gary Gittelsohn said. "This guy (Romero) will be in the fight."
It will be Viloria's second defense of the title he won over Eric Ortiz last year. He decisioned Jose Antonio Aguirre last February on his first title defense.
The Viloria-Romero title bout will be shown on wide screen at the Robinson's Galleria Fountain Area and at Tastebuds in Robinson's Place Manila starting 10 a.m. Solar Sports, home of Filipino boxing champions, will telecast the fights also starting 10 a.m. with replays at 7 p.m. and 9 p.m. the following day.
Click here to view a list of other articles written by Marlon Bernardino.
Recent PhilBoxing.com In-House articles:
JAMAINE "THE TECHNICIAN" ORTIZ TRAINING CAMP NOTES
Thu, 21 Aug 2025Gervonta Davis vs. Jake Paul: Exhibition Bout Announced for November
By Gabriel F. Cordero, Thu, 21 Aug 2025Legendary boxing coach John Brown Compares cornering Tommy Morrison & Rising young star Marco Romero
Thu, 21 Aug 2025World Kid to Host Meet-and-Greet and Open Workouts In advance of “The Return” on August 31 in Detroit
Thu, 21 Aug 2025Assassin’s Creed: Brian Norman Jr. Signs Multi-Year Contract Extension with Top Rank
Thu, 21 Aug 2025Five Philippine FIDE Masters are scheduled to arrive in Roxas City
By Marlon Bernardino, Thu, 21 Aug 2025Boxing Promotional Powerhouse Top Rank Confirmed for Eighth Annual Box Fan Expo, During Mexican Independence Day Weekend, Saturday, September 13, in Las Vegas
Thu, 21 Aug 2025THRILLA IN MANILA GOLDEN ANNIVERSARY 12: MUHAMMAD ALI LOSSES THEN WINS AGAINST KEN NORTON
By Maloney L. Samaco, Wed, 20 Aug 2025Pasig and Quezon City top 1st PCAP Rated Open championship
By Marlon Bernardino, Wed, 20 Aug 2025Canelo Alvarez vs. Terence Crawford Full Fight Card Revealed
Wed, 20 Aug 2025Sadam Ali's career highlight: Defeating Terence Crawford to become 2008 U.S. Olympian
Wed, 20 Aug 2025Irish amateur star Jim Donovan to make pro debut on Sept. 13th Outdoors at Windsor Park in Belfast
Wed, 20 Aug 2025Boxer and Philanthropist Boyd Melson Awarded Presidential Lifetime Achievement Award by President Joe Biden
Wed, 20 Aug 2025THE PAST WEEK IN ACTION 18 AUGUST 2025: Itauma Stops Whyte in 1; Ball Outpoints Goodman; Hrgovic Decisions Adeleye; Yaqubov Defeats Foster
By Eric Armit, Tue, 19 Aug 2025Is Gilas Relying Too Much on Fil-Fors, Naturalised Players at Expense of Locals?
By Teodoro Medina Reynoso, Tue, 19 Aug 2025