The Curious Case of

Brian Viloria grabbed the eyes of fans in September 10, 2005 as he shocked the world by knocking out Eric Ortiz in the first round to win the WBC world light title. That very same night Viloria left the fans an impression of being a speedy light flyweight with monstrous power.

His first defence of the newly owned title will feature Viloria beating an experienced Jose Antonio Aguirre of Mexico. From there on, the expectations on Brian’s future were high.

His second title defence told a different story as Viloria didn’t look like his former self when he fought against Omar Nino Romero. The fight went the full twelve rounds with Romero being awarded a unanimous decision as he dominated the fight and on the scorecards.

Viloria had a rematch against Romero on his very next fight, a highly controversial bout where Viloria displayed the power he had in the Ortiz fight dropping his opponent twice but wasn’t able to finish. The night ended in a majority draw but since Romero has failed the post fight tests, he was yet again to box for the vacant world title next.

On April 14, 2007 Viloria fought Edgar Sosa losing the fight by Majority Decision. The fans were disappointed given all the hype and expectations, Viloria didn’t look very impressive in his last three fights. Viloria would then move on with his career abandoned by some of his fans.

Brian Viloria was not given a title shot until two years later when he fought Ulises Solis for the IBF light flyweight world title in the co-main event of Donaire-Martinez card at the Araneta Coliseum Philippines. Solis came in as favourite, being able to successfully defend his world title for a total of eight times, beating three Filipino fighters (Rodel Mayol, Bert Batawang, Glenn Donaire) along the way earning him the Filipino Executioner moniker.

To the surprise of many, Viloria was in perfect shape for the fight. Viloria looked sharp as he boxed, moved and countered landing clean effective punches. Viloria stopped Solis with a perfectly timed right hand in the 11th round knocking out the IBF champion on a Sunday morning. The win was named by some experts as the comeback of the year. Finally, the Brian Viloria of old has returned.

He would first defend his IBF world title against Jesus Iribe in Hawaii. Iribe came in the fight with a record of 15(10KO)-5L-5D, an opponent he was expected not to struggle with. Viloria boxed beautifully in the early rounds as he unleashed combinations and showed good defence. Looking at it early in the fight, it would only make sense to say that Viloria is in for an easy night.

But Brian gassed yet again in the fight. He got dominated in the later rounds in a fight he was not supposed to be troubled with. By the end, he was awarded a unanimous decision win, a verdict a few fans didn’t seem to agree.

Next, Viloria took home his IBF light flyweight belt in the Philippines to defend it against Carlos Tamara of Colombia on January 23, 2010. Viloria started strong easily outboxing and outworking the challenger. As the fight progressed, Brian was easily ahead on the scorecards but eventually gassed out yet again in the championship rounds, to the point where it looked like he can barely walk at all. The referee called a halt to the fight in 12th round for Viloria was getting hit at will. A decision he didn’t protest during or after the fight. He would later comeback to win a close fight with Omar Soto and a stoppage against Liempetch Sor Veerapol in the 7th round.

July 16, 2011, just like the Solis fight, seemed to be another now or never day for Viloria as he challenged Julio Cesar Miranda for the WBO flyweight title. Viloria did well in the early rounds boxing beautifully and knocking down Miranda in the first round. As the fight progressed he would then again look tired, something I did not expect since he moved up in weight. Brian will survive the fight to win by unanimous decision.

So what is the deal with Brian Viloria? While there can be a lack of stamina even as he moves up in weight, I also believe he displayed in the past to have the speed, power, combinations, chin, footwork, head movement and unappreciated defence. Tools that make a good fighter. If there is one word that describes him best it’s “inconsistent”.

Viloria has shown too many good and bad days in his career to the point where fans don’t know what Brian Viloria will show up in a fight. One thing is for sure, he can’t afford to have a bad day this coming December 11, 2011 as he will face the biggest challenge in his boxing career in Giovanni Segura.

The hard hitting southpaw from Mexico hits like a featherweight and goes to the body, something Viloria should be wary of being known to tire in fights. I see Segura stopping Brian in 8-10rounds, but given all Viloria’s tendencies, I only hope he surprises us again. for comments, suggestions and feedbacks you can email [email protected]