By Cliff Rold

During the 1990s, the Jr. Flyweight division found itself with a bona fide U.S. star at 108 lbs.  1988 Olympic Silver Medalist Michael Carbajal had network exposure, powerful fists and, eventually, a crackling rival in Humberto Gonzalez.

The cash came with the package.

While a disappointment at the 2000 Games, having failed to medal after being a favorite to do so, newly minted IBF titlist Brian Viloria (25-2, 15 KO) turned pro with more fanfare than any American Jr. Flyweight since “Little Hands of Stone.”  He made his debut on ESPN2 and was in a war in his pro debut.  Viloria looked like someone to keep an eye on.

And he was. 

There were occasional bad signs, lethargic efforts where he didn’t let his hands go enough, where he seemed too patient.  Then he found himself in the ring with Eric Ortiz for the WBC title in 2005 and in less than a round reminded everyone of the potential thriller he could be. 

In 2006 and 2007, the lethargic version of Viloria experienced losses to Omar Nino (who he dropped twice and still managed only a draw against in the rematch, later changed to a no contest when Romero failed a post-fight drug test) and still reigning WBC titlist Edgar Sosa (35-5, 19 KO).  The Sosa loss was close; the first Romero loss was not.

Viloria seemed destined to do as a professional what he had done at the Sydney Games: show the potential but fall short of the glory.

Perhaps this narrative took a shift on Saturday night.

Having not seen the fight as yet, reports of a thriller abound and the result comes across as conclusively on the page as it must have appeared in the ring.  Make no mistake; the now deposed champion Ulises Solis (28-2-2, 20 KO) had earned what accolades he was receiving at 108.  His eight title defenses had come against real opposition and two early career wins over Sosa made him a favorite over Viloria.

Odds don’t stop right hands.

Now, with a victory and his second major title, Viloria remains what he was headed into the Solis encounter.  He’s one of the few recognizable names at Jr. Flyweight and one who is proven to be of world class.

There is another.

Ivan Calderon (32-0, 6 KO) is on most pound for pound lists today, the Ring Magazine and WBO titlist reigning in his second weight class.  Against Hugo Cazares of Mexico, he displayed that he can be a quality draw in his native Puerto Rico.  While still at Strawweight, three pound lower on the scale and racking up eleven title defenses, Calderon was mentioned as a potential future foe for the presumed future star Viloria.

In a weight class few Americans have ever taken an interest in, the only names with real “Q” value seemed logical as rivals.

The previous Viloria losses sidetracked any palpable urges to call for the fight.  Certainly, Mexico’s Sosa would likely make the case that he deserves to be ahead of Viloria in any line for a fight with Calderon unless he made the case instead for what would now be a unification rematch with the man he won his belt from.  His eight defenses since defeating Viloria bolster his case.

The fight game is rarely a meritocracy.  Just as this year’s Juan Manuel Marquez-Juan Diaz was a stronger economic property than Marquez-Nate Campbell despite Diaz’s loss in 2008 to Campbell, so too is Calderon-Viloria now logically the biggest money property for both.

It’s been a long time since 108 lbs. had a potential fight like it. 

Stylistically, it wouldn’t match up as well as Carbajal and Gonzalez did…at least it appears so.  Who knows?  Calderon is 34; Viloria 28.  Relying heavily on footwork, Calderon’s legs could begin to go and he showed vulnerability even as he rose from the floor to defeat Cazares the first time.  He also showed in fights against Ronald Barrera and Juan Esquer that squat pressure fighters can force him into more exchanges.

This could be fascinating theatre.

While he’ll never be the star Carbajal was, Viloria may finally have set himself up for the chance to be a star after all.  In doing so, he’s made a too-often forgettable division interesting again at least inside this moment.

Cliff Rold is a member of the Ring Magazine Ratings Advisory Panel and the Boxing Writers Association of America.  He can be reached at roldboxing@hotmail.com