The 31-year-old Viloria is also aching for revenge after being beaten and held to a majority draw, which was later declared a no-contest after Romero failed the post-fight drug test, by the Mexican in their first two meetings in 2006.
A victory over Romero, who boasts a 30-win, 4-loss, 2-draw record with 12 knockouts, will also set up the Filipino-American to a unification showdown against World Boxing Association champion Hernan “Tyson” Marquez.
Viloria’s ring career is on an upswing with successive victories over erstwhile flyweight titlist Julio Cesar Miranda last July and a methodical eight-round demolition of highly regarded Giovani Segura late last year, improving his record to 30-3-0, 17 KOs.
So complete was Viloria’s mastery of Segura that the Mexican spent a few days at the hospital as a result of a huge swelling on the head.
Viloria’s renewed vigor and staying power is largely credited to his trainer Mario Morales, who was able to draw the best out of the “Hawaiian Punch.”
“He’s an old school trainer,” said Viloria. “We don’t do anything fancy, we just work hard all the time.”
Updates on the Viloria-Romero tiff will be available on Solar Sports-Channel 70 on Sky Cable, Ch. 35 on Destiny, Ch. 45 on Cignal and Ch. 31 on Cable Link.