Viloria seeks to become undisputed flyweight champ
Filipino-American Brian Viloria. INQUIRER FILE PHOTO
MANILA, Philippines – Two world titles down, two to go for Brian “The Hawaiian Punch” Viloria.
Fresh off a masterful win over Mexican Hernán “Tyson” Marquez to unify the WBO and WBA flyweight belts, Viloria has his sights set on becoming an undisputed champion.
“We’re going to try to get all four (titles),” said Viloria during the PSA Forum at Shakey’s Malate Tuesday.
And gunning for the remaining belts would mean setting up a date with WBC titleholder Toshiyuki Igarashi of Japan and current IBF champion Moruti Mthalane of South Africa.
As of now, Viloria won’t go back to training camp yet, not after the holidays, while his next bout would probably be around February or March as he tries to squeeze in three to four fights in 2013.
Moving up to super flyweight is another option for Viloria, who said he’s very comfortable at 112.
The 32-year-old Viloria also revealed Marquez asked for a rematch but the Hawaiian Punch “doesn’t see any point of doing it as the champion was able to control the fight from the opening bell.”
“I don’t think a rematch will be doing us any good. Going for the other belts is more lucrative for me.”
A potential fight with fellow Filipino Milan Melindo, a flyweight contender, also loomed.
“As a fighter you don’t try to back down regardless of the nationality but given the option as much as possible is to look for better fights out there,” said Viloria, who arrived in Manila Saturday morning.
Viloria, who has been on a tear since losing his IBF World light flyweight title to Carlos Tamara two years ago, seized the WBO crown when he beat Julio Cesar Miranda before stopping Marquez in the 10th round of their action-packed fight for the WBA championship two weeks ago.
“(I’ll be fighting for) a few more years but I feel great. I don’t feel like I’m 32, I feel like I’m 23. I’m treating my body right and doing the right things in training camp to stay great.”
