By Ronnie Nathanielsz
WBO/WBA flyweight champion Brian Viloria would rather seek a unification title fight against WBC champion Toshiyuki Igarashi of Japan or IBF champion Moruti Mthalane of South Africa rather than face No.1 contender and countryman Milan Melindo in a mandatory title fight ordered by the World Boxing Organization at its recent convention in Miami, Florida.
Viloria who leaves Manila with his wife Erika for Hawaii, where they plan to spend a week before flying to Los Angeles, told BoxingScene.com/Manila Standard “we are looking at the other world champions to see if we could unify against the WBC or IBF and I think that’s more lucrative and a better fight than fighting Melindo.”
He said “there is really nothing there for me. If you nthink about it Melindo has everything to gain and I don’t gain anything from this fight even financially.”
He said “I don’t see any point in fighting Melindo” but indicated “hopefully we can work something out but I’ll have to talk to my manager Gary (Gittelsohn) to find out what they want to do. But I don’t know what will happen.” He also told us “I don’t like fighting any other Filipino fighter.”
Viloria said “I’ll just get ready for my next opponent, whoever he is.”
ALA Promotions president Michael Aldeguer who handles Melindo said they had sent an application form to the WBO “to formalize the mandatory title bid” after which he expects WBO president Francisco “Paco” Valcarcel to release the mandatory title defense directive.
Aldeguer said “that’s the time we can start formal negotiations with Gittelsohn but we have already started talking to Solar Sports” who handle Viloria.
The former three-time, two division world champion is coming off a terrific 10th round TKO victory over WBA champion Hernan “Tyson” Marquez of Mexico at the Los Angeles Sports Arena.
Tags: Brian Viloria
, Milan Melindo 