BRIAN VILORIA EYES A WAR OF A FIGHT WITH HERNAN ?TYSON? MARQUEZ? AND MORE!
By Rich Mazon
PhilBoxing.com
Fri, 24 Aug 2012
(UNIFIED BELTS AND FIGHTER OF THE YEAR RECOGNITION AT STAKE FOR THE FIL-AM FIGHTER)
Los Angeles, CA ? The famous Wild Card Gym in this equally famous town is home to the Philippines? most recognizable boxer in Manny Pacquiao on weeks leading to his fights. But these days, the gym is home to another popular Filipino fighter as he prepares for one of the most important fight of his career.
WBO Flyweight champion, Brian Viloria is hard in training in Freddie Roach?s famed gym for his unification match against WBA World Flyweight titlist, Hernan ?Tyson? Marquez of Mexico. The fight which is tentatively scheduled for September 29th and possibly at the Home Depot Center in Carson is still being worked at by both fighters? promotional outfit.
?Training is going great. We started almost a month and a half ago keeping myself in shape. We are still anticipating the September 29th date. It is still being worked as we speak but hope everything is okay,? Viloria said. Issues like the final venue selection and which network TV will carry what most consider as a potential war between these two combatants of the ring.
The 31 year old native of Waipahu, Hawaii stated that he has already started sparring last week to get himself ready for Marquez. He has set his mind that the fight will unfold as scheduled and that he is intent on keeping his training on track for the targeted date. ?As far as I go, I need to just keep myself in shape and have myself ready for the fight. That is my job. My management and my team is trying to get everything all set for the 29th date.?
The Filipino American of Ilocano descent is looking forward to this fight and verbalized that he has wanted this fight for a long time. ?I have gone to other wars. (Giovani) Segura was a great fight. The win over Nino (Omar Romero) was another great fight. But I think right now, I?m more focus and I?m more wanting of this fight with Marquez,? Viloria confided.
?It?s a fight that is going to be a great fight. Stylistically we both bring the same fighting style. We want to stay toe to toe with each other. We will give the fans a great show. We will go out there to knock each other out,? Viloria said with a chuckle. He observed that Marquez fights the way like Segura does, ?only quicker and a lot more technically sound.?
The bout will unify two titles of the 112 pound class but Viloria sees it as a bonus if he wins. The greater desire for the former Olympian was to beat a boxer with Marquez?s credentials and to successfully defend his belt. ?Right now, it?s about creating a great fight with a great fighter like Marquez and having to put a great show. Winning another world title is an icing in the cake but I just want to hold on to my title for as long as I can and do it with a great action in a great fight.?
Marquez who holds a record of 34-2 with 25 knockouts is on a seven fight winning streak in a span of two years. Incidentally, his last two defeats were in the hands of two Filipino fighters. He lost to Nonito Donaire on July 10, 2010 by the way of an 8th round TKO in Puerto Rico where the interim WBA Super Flyweight Title was at stake then. His other lost came four months prior to the Donaire fight, where he lost succumbed to Richie Mepranum in a ten round Unanimous Decision defeat in Dallas, Texas. Marquez avenged that lost to Mepranum last March 24, 2012 in Mexico by the same manner, a 10th round Unanimous Decision victory.
Viloria who has figured in two outstanding fights this year against Segura and Romero is expecting nothing less against his fellow champion. He has stopped both Segura and Romero in two bruising battle and a win against Marquez that will likely put his name in the running for the ?Fighter of the Year? award for 2012. But that thought is not what motivates Viloria right now. His intention is to put on a show that the fans would appreciate against a tough warrior like Hernan Marquez.
?All I want to do until I retire from the sports is that, to put out a great fight, to put out an exciting fight,? said Viloria.
This battle with Marquez might just give him what he wanted, a battle to remember between two accomplished fighters of the lower weight classes.
And with a win, he might just get more than the icing of the cake that a victory brings. He might get the whole cake as well.
You can reach the author at rrmaze24@aol.com for any reactions to this piece.
Photos: Viloria trains at Wildcard Gym. Photos by Jhay Otamias.
Click here to view a list of other articles written by Rich Mazon .
Recent PhilBoxing.com In-House articles:
Dreamland: 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 2025OK-C You Next Season, Memphis
By Teodoro Medina Reynoso, Sun, 27 Apr 2025Eubank Jr. Edges Benn in Thrilling Grudge Match for the Ages
By Dong Secuya, Sun, 27 Apr 2025Due to Illness, H2O Syve Withdraws from Tonight’s Bout
Sun, 27 Apr 2025Filipino FM Ivan Travis Cu runner-up in Budapest First Saturday Chess Tournament
By Marlon Bernardino, Sun, 27 Apr 2025Home Teams Rule the Day
By Teodoro Medina Reynoso, Sat, 26 Apr 2025Marlon Tapales Makes Weight for WBC International Title Fight in Gensan
Sat, 26 Apr 2025WELTERWEIGHT ERIC TUDOR TAKES UNANIMOUS DECISION OVER KEVIN JOHSON IN MAIN EVENT OF ‘LA FRIDAY NIGHT FIGHTS’ FROM THUNDER STUDIOS AND LIVE ON DAZN
Sat, 26 Apr 2025Eubank vs Benn: Like Father Like Son
By Chris Carlson, Sat, 26 Apr 2025Eubank Jr. Misses Weight Ahead of Highly Anticipated Benn Clash
Sat, 26 Apr 2025