VILORIA SMASHES 'TYSON' MARQUEZ, WINS WBA TITLE WITH 10TH ROUND TKO
By Ronnie Nathanielsz
PhilBoxing.com
Mon, 19 Nov 2012
In a unification fight that his manager Gary Gittelsohn described as ?a thing of beauty?, WBO flyweight champion Brian Viloria smashed Mexico?s Hernan ?Tyson? Marquez to win the WBA title and cement his legacy as one of the great fighters in the lighter weights before a cheering crowd at the Los Angeles Sports Arena on Sunday, Manila Time.
Viloria dropped Marquez towards the end of the opening round similar to what he did when he won the WBO title from another Mexican Julio Cesar ?Pingo? Miranda, forcing Marquez to back off as Viloria caught him time and again with rights to the head.
Marquez hurt Viloria early in the fifth round and as the Filipino covered up and tried to escape a barrage of punches from Marquez who pinned him against the ropes, Viloria suddenly found an opening and exploded with a superb left hook and a right to the side of the head that sent Marquez sprawling onto the canvas.
Encouraged by his success in the first half of the fifth round and egged on by trainer Robert Garcia who had previously trained Viloria, the hard-hitting Marquez tried desperately to turn things around and partially succeeded in rounds 7, 8 and 9 when he turned aggressor.
Paolo Diaz of Solar Sports reported from ringside that round seven appeared even but Marquez did enough to take rounds 8 and 9.
It was then that the indomitable courage and the skill of Viloria took over. As Marquez pressed the action Viloria dropped the Mexican with another vicious left hook followed by a thundering right to the head that sent Marquez flat on his back.
The WBA champion gallantly beat the count but as he stumbled around Viloria ripped into Marquez and caught him with a series of punches to the head forcing trainer Garcia to climb the ring apron and throw in the towel to give Viloria another spectacular win as referee David Mendoza stopped the fight at 1:01 of the 10th round.
In a post fight interview Viloria said the game-plan was to slow down Marquez with body shots and that helped a lot. He claimed that despite a flurry of punches from Marquez in the fifth round he ?wasn?t hurt at all." Viloria said "I knew he was going to get winded and I think he did and slowed down a bit.?
Manny Pacquiao?s strength and conditioning coach Alex Ariza who was at ringside told the Manila Standard the Viloria-Marquez fight ?should be ?Fight of the Year? maybe fight of the last three years. Viloria?s was an amazing, unbelievable fight. It?s a fight I wish I could see over and over again.?
Ariza said he was worried in the 5th round when Viloria was getting caught with some tremendous shots and looked in big trouble." He said "?Buboy? Fernandez raced from his seat to give Viloria?s corner some advice. I thought Brian was on the way to getting knocked out by falling into the trap that Marquez set. But when Brian turned it around I must say I have unbelievable respect for Brian Viloria. That fight should have been on pay per view. I would pay to see that fight again. It was that good. I have never screamed myself hoarse watching a fight. That?s how exciting it was."
Photo: Brian Viloria at his dressing room after defeated Hernan 'Tyson' Marquez Saturday at the LA Sports Arena. Photo by Jhay Otamias.
Click here to view a list of other articles written by Ronnie Nathanielsz.
Recent PhilBoxing.com In-House articles:
Rafael Espinoza-Arnold Khegai & Tenshin Nasukawa-Takuma Inoue Blockbuster Cards to Stream LIVE on Top Rank Classics FAST Channel
Thu, 06 Nov 2025JUSTIN LACEY-PIERCE OUTLASTS COURTNEY PENNINGTON IN DETROIT
Wed, 05 Nov 2025The José Sulaimán Boxers’ Fund continues supporting fighters worldwide
By Gabriel F. Cordero, Wed, 05 Nov 2025NBA Daily: Sans Injured Young, Hawks Still Dominate Magic 127-112
By Reylan Loberternos, Wed, 05 Nov 2025Kamatyas FIDE Rapid chess on Nov 8
By Marlon Bernardino, Wed, 05 Nov 2025WBC lifts the suspension imposed on Ryan Garcia
By Gabriel F. Cordero, Wed, 05 Nov 2025Siargao pug bags silver in Batang Pinoy
By Lito delos Reyes, Wed, 05 Nov 2025Marcial-Colmenares Middleweight Bout Steals Show at Thrilla in Manila 50th Year (Part 2 of 2)
By Teodoro Medina Reynoso, Wed, 05 Nov 2025Brown vs. Seldin for the WBA Super Lightweight Interim World Title
Wed, 05 Nov 2025FRANCIS LAFRENIÈRE MAKES COMEBACK NOV 29
Wed, 05 Nov 2025OLYMPIC MEDALIST YUBERJEN MARTINEZ INKS WITH ALL STAR BOXING
Wed, 05 Nov 2025THE PAST WEEK IN ACTION 3 November 2025: Mayer Outpoints Spencer to Unify 154 Belts; Buatsi's Controversial Win Over Parker; Pero Outpoints Thompson; Thrilla in Manila at 50 Results
By Eric Armit, Tue, 04 Nov 2025Marcial-Colmenares Middleweight Bout Steals Show at Thrilla in Manila 50th Year (Part 1)
By Teodoro Medina Reynoso, Tue, 04 Nov 2025MATCHROOM BOXING ANNOUNCES HISTORIC ‘LIVE FROM GHANA’ EVENT FOR SATURDAY, DECEMBER 20 AS CRAIG RICHARDS AND DAN AZEEZ COLLIDE IN ACCRA – LIVE WORLDWIDE ON DAZN
Tue, 04 Nov 2025Bryce Mills Defeats James Bernadin By Unanimous Decision
Mon, 03 Nov 2025