Knockout looms as Viloria defends WBO title Sunday

Brian Viloria goes for the KO.

MANILA, Philippines—Either one will fall.

This decisive end looms when defending champion Brian Viloria and challenger Giovani Segura, both knockout specialists, dispute the World Boxing Organization flyweight crown Sunday at the Ynares Sports Arena in Pasig.

The 29-year-old Segura is the acknowledged heavier puncher having stopped 24 of 30 opponents, including legendary Puerto Rican Ivan Calderon twice, for a 28-win 1-loss 1-draw record and an awesome KO percentage of 80 percent.

But Segura, dubbed the Aztec Warrior from Guerrero, Mexico, for his relentless aggression, believes the Hawaiian Punch Viloria should be a tougher customer than Calderon, who is acknowledged as one of the world’s best technical fighters ever.

According to Segura, the 31-year-old Viloria is the more complete boxer, having the ring savvy and versatility plus the punching sting which Calderon solely lacks.

Segura insists he needs to dish out his best in order to topple Viloria, who is seeking his ninth spot in the pound-for-pound rankings.

Segura should know.

He and Viloria (29-3-0 with 16 KOs) have sparred several times in their amateur careers and is aware that the Filipino-American can take and dish it out as well as any small guy in the business.

Showing their preparedness for the 12-round showdown, the protagonists registered an exact 112 pounds on their first try during the official weigh-in at Midas Hotel in Pasay City Saturday.

Viloria, who arrived in the country with wife Erika and father Ben, had already achieved the weight Friday.

Feeling light and bubbly, Viloria woke up early, according to Erika, a registered nurse who sees to it that her husband gets the proper nutrition necessary for him to last the distance with plenty to spare.

“No fast food for him, now.” Erika told the Inquirer Saturday. “Usually, I prepare fish, chicken vegetables and brown rice for him.”

In his fight against Carlos Tamara at the Cuneta Astrodome last year, Viloria dominated the early and middle rounds before running out of steam and allowing the Mexican to stop him in the 12th and final round of their International Boxing Federation light flyweight title fight.

After taking a six-month break, Viloria decided to resume fighting.

A rejuvenated Viloria has since chalked up wins over Mexican Omar Soto, Thai Liempeth Sor Veerapol and Julio Cesar Miranda, from whom he wrested the WBO flyweight title.