VILORIA - RETIRE OR NOT?

Brian Viloria

By Gerry Ramos

FORMER two-time world champion Brian Viloria is keeping his options open as far as his boxing career is concerned.

Almost a week after suffering a shocking 12th round technical knockout loss to Colombian Carlos Tamara to relinquish his International Boxing Federation (IBF) light-flyweight crown, Viloria said it will be too premature to come up with a decision yet on whether he’ll continue boxing or retire from the sport for good.

Together with fiancée, Erika Navarro, the former Sydney Olympian will be leaving for Los Angeles this weekend to meet and sit out with his management team and make plans on what’s next best for his career.

“It’s too hasty yet to come up with a decision now. I’ll sit down with my team once I arrive in L.A. and then discuss our next move.

“These are decisions I really have to weigh in when I come back to L.A.,” said Viloria, facing the media for the first time since that fateful setback at the hands of his Colombian conqueror.

The 29-year old Hawaii-born Filipino-American just came out of the Makati Medical Center Monday night after spending three days at the high-end hospital where he was rushed shortly after fainting inside his dressing room just minutes following his loss.

Still sporting a small bruise in his left eye covered by a small bandage, Viloria related over lunch at the Mabuhay Palace of the Manila Hotel that low potassium and dehydration caused him to lose a fight he was winning until the eight round.

“As much as I wanted to keep on fighting, when dehydration comes in, your body just shut off. My mind was strong. I wanted to fight, but my body tells otherwise,” recalled Viloria, who gained around 20 pounds days after the fight, owing it to what he referred to as `salt table’ given to him by his battery of doctors .

Humble in defeat, the ex-champion said Tamara is a great fighter.

“I remember one round where I know I hurt him. He was already gasping for air. So after that, I tried to pour everything on him, which unfortunately, took its toll on me later in the fight.

“Not to take away from Tamara, but he took all those punches I threw. He really is a great fighter,” Viloria added.

The Fil-Am boxer also credited referee Bruce McTavish for stopping the fight with 1:45 to go in the final round.

“It could have been worse,” said Viloria, admitting that initially he thought it was premature to stop the fight since “I’m not hurt and I was blocking all his punches.”

“But Bruce thought it was the right thing to do. I’m just happy I’m still alive.”

In the event he decides to continue his career, a major alternative is to move up in weight.

“Maybe I needed to go back at 115 (lb). 108 has been there for me for years now,” he said.

“I would rather die doing something I love than live doing something that I don’t.” -Philippine Boxing News.