Viloria loses world title fight to Gonzalez via TKO

Boxer Brian Viloria. AP

Showing a big heart, Filipino challenger Brian Viloria had every reason to keep his head high despite bowing to top pound-for-pound fighter Roman Gonzalez for the WBC flyweight title on Sunday (Manila time) at Madison Square Garden in New York.

Viloria was knocked down in the third round but displayed great resolve and was able to stay on his feet before the referee stopped the fight in the ninth round amid another onslaught by Gonzalez.

The 34-year-old Viloria had his four-fight winning streak snapped and record fall to 36-5 with 22 knockouts while the heavy-handed Nicaraguan stretched his unbeaten record to 44-0, 38 KOs.