By Rey Danseco
FORMER champion Brian Viloria came first to his native Philippines in his last two victories before going back to Hawaii. And in his time of defeat, the Pinoy Punch will also want to be with his hospitable compatriots.
“Brian will likely head to the Philippines in the next few weeks to be with friends and family,” said Gary Gittelsohn, Viloria’s American manager, to Bagong Tiktik Sports/Boxingscene yesterday.
Gittelsohn revealed that Viloria will definitely seek a rematch with his surprise-conqueror Omar Nino Romero, who took his World Boxing Council light flyweight title on Thursday (Friday in RP) at The Orleans Arena in Las Vegas.
And the best place to start his resurgence would be in the Philippines where Viloria grew a huge circle of followers after he won the world title 11 months ago in Los Angeles. Viloria draped and waved the RP tri-color then spoke Tagalog lines as he addressed the fans with microphone on.
“It (Philippines) will be a good place for him to collect his thoughts and re-energize his spirit,” said Gittelsohn, who made sure Viloria had a rematch clause in his fight contract with Romero as condition for the picking the lowly-rated Mexican as challenger.
“Rest assured, Brian will be back, better and stronger than ever and he will regain the title at 108 lbs. as well as (the belts in) higher weight classes (flyweight).”
Gittelsohn couldn’t figure out when will be the rematch takes place. “We will seek a rematch, but as of this moment the timing is uncertain,” said Gittelsohn.
Gittelsohn did not hide his admiration to Viloria by accepting his first defeat in his 20 fights in five-year campaign in the paid ranks. Viloria attributed his passive performance in the 12-round fight to a “bad night”.
“If there's a silver lining to be found, it's that Brian demonstrated character and sportsmanship by the manner in which he took the loss,” said Gittelsohn. “In this day and age of spoiled athletes, it's refreshing to see a man admit his poor performance and accept the consequences with grace and dignity.”
Viloria was born in Hawaii but his Filipino parents let the first six years of his life to spend with his grandparents in Narvacan town in Ilocos Sur.
Viloria, now has 19-1 with 12 knockouts in his career, was feted by the Philippine president in Malacanan Palace after his victories, including the first and only title defense against former champ Jose Antonio Aguirre in February.
