by Ronnie Nathanielsz

WBO flyweight  champion Brian Viloria  is training at Freddie Roach’s Wild Card Gym in Los Angeles for his September 29 unification title fight against WBA champion Hernan “Tyson” Marquez of Mexico.

While the site of the fight hasn’t been finally resolved after Viloria’s manager Gary Gittelsohn turned down Mexico as the site, indications are it will likely be held at the Home Depot Center in Carson City, California.

Viloria told BoxingScene.com/Manila Standard that “training is coming on great. I’ve been in the training camp for some five weeks now and have two New strength and conditioning trainers who have been working with me, one of whom is Marvin Somodio” who was brought over to the US as an assistant of Roach. The other is Rob Garcia.

Viloria said Roach is busy working with Julio Cesar Chavez Jr at the Top Rank Gym in Las Vegas  for his September 15 showdown with Sergio “Maravilla” Martinez but “puts in his two cents every once in a while.”

Viloria said he started sparring last week with a southpaw in preparation for the Marquez fight but said a lefty won’t cause any problems. He said “Early in my career as an amateur I’ve sparred with a lot of left handers so I’m not too unfamiliar with it. I’m trying to get back into it again as I get myself ready for ‘Tyson’ Marquez."

Viloria said “I’m confident about this fight. I feel good, feel great about this fight which is a fight I’ve been wanting to happen for a while now and now that its taking shape I’m kind of happy for it.”

However, the two division world champion conceded “I know its going to be a really tough match but realistically I think I have what it takes to beat Marquez.”

Viloria said all he needs to do is “to work hard and come in shape like I did for my last two fights.” That was when Viloria scored an 8th round TKO over top ten pound for pound fighter Giovanni Segura of Mexico and followed this up with another smashing  9th round TKO over veteran Omar Nino Romero, another Mexican warrior in his last fight on May 13 at the Ynares Sports Center in Pssig City, Metro Manila.

He said “a lot of focus is on my conditioning and getting myself ready. I already have the skills, I have all the tools. I only need the gasoline for me to drive up for twelve rounds.  A lot of my focus has been on getting into shape” as he aims to fight his last round as though it is the first.