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:
Rematch option for Melvin
By Joaquin Henson, Tue, 19 May 2026World-class stablemates John ‘Scrappy’ Ramirez & Darius ‘DFG’ Fulghum fighting on same card Friday night in San Jose
Tue, 19 May 2026Ignacio Defeats Malayan to Claim Title and USD 10,000 Prize
By Marlon Bernardino, Tue, 19 May 2026USA Boxing Elite High Performance Squad Dominates Day One of 2026 Copa America with 11-0 Record
Tue, 19 May 2026Reina Tellez Returns to the Ring Following World Title Challenge Against Amanda Serrano
Mon, 18 May 2026Mombay, Garras top Helubong 50km Uphill Ultra Challenge
By Lito delos Reyes, Mon, 18 May 2026Arijan Goricki Knocks Out Hassan Ndonga in Nairobi
Mon, 18 May 2026USA Boxing's High Performance Squad Sets Sights on Gold at 2026 Copa America
Mon, 18 May 2026Team Sugar Rush wins Sir Jessie Villasin Chess Team 2X2 Tournament
By Marlon Bernardino, Mon, 18 May 2026Paolo Gallito, 6 others in the last 16 in Malaysia
By Marlon Bernardino, Sun, 17 May 2026Keyshawn Davis Returns Home With Decision Win Over Nahir Albright
Sun, 17 May 2026Heartbreak in Johannesburg: Jerusalem Dethroned by Kuse in Bloody Rematch
By Dong Secuya, Sun, 17 May 2026Roy Jones Jr. Blasts Dana White and Zuffa’s Push to Reshape Boxing During Explosive “Boxing Primetime Show” Interview
Sat, 16 May 2026Weigh-In Results: Keyshawn Davis vs. Nahir Albright II
Sat, 16 May 2026Jerusalem vs. Kuse II: High-Stakes Rematch in Johannesburg
By Dong Secuya, Sat, 16 May 2026