VILORIA GIVING UP WBO TITLE?
By Ed de la Vega, DDS
PhilBoxing.com
Fri, 04 Jan 2013
Reports indicate that if Brian Viloria gives up the WBO flyweight belt he snatched from Mexican Hernan ?Tyson? Marquez of the Robert Garcia Gym in Oxnard, CA., Marquez is interested in meeting Milan Melindo of the ALA Gym for the same title.
However, there are no definite plans for Viloria to do that, just rumors. In fact he may even chose to defend it against a TBA challenger.
But be that as it may, Marquez? promoter, Fernando Beltran of Zanfer Promotions of Mexico as well as Melindo?s handlers, ALA Promotions of Cebu are in agreement that a fight between Melindo and Marquez would be a good one to make.
And, they are willing to make it happen if the opportunity presents itself.
This writer agrees that Melindo vs. Marquez will be a good fight.
However, there is one problem.
While Melindo certainly deserves to fight for the belt owing to the fact that he earned the No. 1 position (mandatory), Marquez after losing to Viloria via a KO, was dropped to No. 12 position amongst the challenger to the WBO belt that Viloria now holds.
Therefore, it would not be fair for Marquez to leap over 11 other guys and get another opportunity to fight for a title again at the expense of others who are rated higher than him.
On the other hand, it would not be a surprise if that happens. Boxing is crazy that way!
In fairness, the fight should be between the top challenger (Melindo) and the No. 2 challenger Froilan Saludar of Digos City, Davao del Sur.
Saludar deserves the shot because he earned it. He is the WBO Asia Pacific, the WBO Oriental and WBO Youth Flyweight champion.
He should be fighting Melindo for the title in case Viloria vacates it.
A fight between Melindo and Saludar would have many positives.
First, it would be the very first time two Filipinos would be fighting for a WBO flyweight title.
Second, the fight could be made in the Philippines giving the local crowd an opportunity to see history in the making. A world title fight, no less.
Third, the belt, no matter what happens, will stay in the Philippines.
This is not to say the belt will not stay in the country if Melindo fights Marquez instead.
In my humble opinion, Melindo will not have too much of a problem taking care of Marquez. He has the style that is tailor made to beat a forward charging Marquez.
In fact, he may not take as much time as Viloria did when he stopped Marquez.
Photo: Viloria floors Marquez.
Click here to view a list of other articles written by Ed de la Vega, DDS.
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