FORGET IT!

Mayweather

By Gerry Ramos

PLEASE step aside Floyd Mayweather Jr.

With no word coming from the loudmouth boxing star on whether he’s willing to do a potentially lucrative fight with Filipino Manny Pacquiao this November, Top Rank Promotions chairman Bob Arum announced he’s moving on and is now looking forward to negotiating a deal with either two-time world champion Antonio Margarito or a rematch with reigning World Boxing Association (WBA) junior middleweight champion Miguel Cotto.

In a conference call from Las Vegas, Arum said Mayweather failed to respond to the Friday night deadline Top Rank imposed upon him regarding a possible Nov. 13 showdown with Pacquiao, considered the universal pound-for-pound fighter today and now a Congressman from the lone district of Sarangani.

“Floyd, for whatever reason, didn’t want to commit,” said the 78-year old Arum, who has promoted some of the richest bouts in boxing history, including the epic `Thrilla in Manila’ and the super-fight pitting Marvelous Marvin Hagler and Tommy `The Hitman’ Hearns.

“I’ve had no negotiations or discussions with any other fighter,” Arum added. “This Friday was the end of the exclusivity agreement.”

The 31-year old Pacquiao was hardly bothered by the failure to lure Floyd Jr. in the ring for the second straight time.

“OK lang sa akin kung ayaw niyang lumaban. Ang sa akin lang naman, kung sino ang gustong humarap sa akin, `yun ang lalabanan ko,” said Pacquiao, who attended the birthday party of chief of staff Jake Joson Friday night.

Fight trainer Jeff Mayweather, uncle of Floyd Jr., believes Arum is just doing it to make his nephew look bad in the eyes of the public.

“Basically, it’s a situation where Bob wants to make Floyd look like he’s a bad guy by doing this. Realistically, it doesn’t matter because at the end of the day, Floyd don’t need Manny and Manny don’t need him. They need each other to make that kind of money,” he said.

While not totally discounting the possibility of hearing from the Mayweather camp, Arum is now opting for Plan B as he tries to negotiate with representatives of Cotto and Margarito, two boxers belonging to the same Top Rank stable as Pacquiao.

Arum hopes talks can begin by next week, noting that time is indeed, running out to hype and buildup a fight set four months from now.

A bout with Margarito may likely end up being staged in Monterey, Mexico since the former welterweight champion is not licensed to fight in the U.S. after being caught wearing an illegal substance in his hand wraps minutes before his title fight with Sugar Shane Mosley last year.

The ban is not applied in the U.S.

A return bout with Cotto on the other hand, will have the WBA 154-pound title belt at stake which the Puerto Rican won last June by dethroning Yuri Foreman via a ninth round technical knockout.

“It’s dead (Pacquiao-Mayweather) when we conclude a deal with an opponent for Manny’s fight in November,” Arum added.

The Top Rank big boss made it clear however, that he’s not conceding about making the fight the world wants to see hopefully by next year.

“He’ll (Pacquiao) look to do a fight with Floyd next year," Arum said.

The long-time boxing promoter doesn’t want to second guess why Mayweather, for the second time in a row, refused to do a fight guaranteed to net him and Pacquiao at least $50 million each.

But he did mention that the coming August trial of Roger Mayweather, Floyd’s uncle and chief trainer, may have something to do with it.

The elder Mayweather is going to trial following a battery charge filed against him by a female boxer he once handled.

“I'm trying to rationalize it, and if it's because he may be reluctant to fight now because of the problems his uncle (and trainer, Roger Mayweather) has, then I understand it," Arum said.

“I know Manny would not want to go into a fight without the services of Freddie Roach. Presumably, Floyd feels the same way about going into a big fight like this without the services of his Uncle Roger.”

The Top Rank chief revealed he never negotiated with anybody from the Mayweather camp, with only Ross Greenberg, president of HBO sports, acting as the sole intermediary between the two parties.

After Greenberg held a series of talks with both Arum and Mayweather’s adviser, Al Haymon, it appeared both parties had come up with an acceptable offer, including the drug-testing issue that derailed last year’s first negotiations for the fight, and a resolution seemed close to being reached.

Unfortunately, Mayweather would have none of it.

“Without knowing, I am sure that there is a very, very good reason that Floyd Mayweather has for not committing to a fight at this time,” Arum said. “I really and truly believe that.”

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VIRTUAL DUAL MEET IN MVP CUP FINALS

HOST Philippines sent six more boxers to the finals of the 1st MVP International Boxing Friendship Cup yesterday at the PICC Forum Tent.



Annie Albania, Nesthy Petecio, Victorio Saludar, Charly Suarez, Joegin Ladon and Jimmy Vallares bested their respective foreign rivals and barged into the finals, turning the tournament into a virtual dual meet between the Philippines and Thailand.

Albania ousted Jan Jayasinghe of Sri Lanka, 9-0 in the 51kgs. category ; Petecio eliminated Rewadee Damsri of Thailand, 11-7, in the 57kgs.; Saludar stopped TM Tennakoon of Sri Lanka in the first round in the 48kgs; Suarez stopped Chin Yuan Kao of Chinese Taipei in the 57kgs; Ladon ousted Yu Chen of China, 8-3, in the 60 kgs., and Vallares clobbered Pri Rajapaksha of Sri Lanka, 4-1, in the 64 kgs.

Rolando Tacuyan, Bill Vicera and his cousin Jameboy were not as fortunate and lost to their respective foreign rivals.

Tacuyan vowed to Oatcharija Haewsuno of Thailand,1-10, in the 64kgs, Bill lost to Zhiongling Wu of China, 2-12, in the 48kgs., and Jameboy vowed to Apitchet Kulsri of Thailand, 2-4, in the 60kgs.

The Philippines sent a total of 11 boxers, including four women, in the seven-nation slugfest presented by PLDT and named in honor of sportsman and business tycoon and ABAP chairman Manny V. Pangilinan.

Pangilinan, known as MVP, watched the fights in the company of the Talk N’ Text PBA basketball team.

Other sponsors include Tanduay, Outlast, Powerade, Clusivol, Burger King, BMW, G4S, Maynilad, Ubix Corporation, Waterfront Manila Pavilion, and Smart Communication.

Albania meets Peamwilai Laopeam of Thailand, Petecio faces Weng Lin Cheng of Chinese Taipei, Saludar square off Zhongling Wu of China, Suarez challenges Athens Olympian Worapoj of Thailand, Ladon meets Apichat Kulsri of Thailand, and Vallares faces Oatcharija Haewsuno also of Thailand in the finals starting at 2 p.m. today.

Laopeam entered the finals without throwing a punch due to lack of participants.

The Thai watched her teammates fight after taking a bye.

“First time ko siyang makakaharap. Delikado ako dahil malaki siya sa akin. Pipilitin kong manalo,” said Albania.

The win pushed Ladon into a winner-take-all match with Apichet Kulsri, the 25-year-old boxer from Bangkok who ousted Jameboy Vicera.

Vallares forged a do-or-die with Oatcharija Haewsuno of Thailand, who dispatched Tacuyan.

Suarez, 21, from Davao, dictated the tempo of the fight, stalking his taller southpaw Taiwanese rival with flurry of punches right from the opening bell on the way to an easy win.

Chin got three mandatory eight counts in the second round, forcing the Malaysian referee to stop the fight to save the Taiwanese from further harm.

The win sent Suarez to a title date with Athens Olympian Worapoj Petchkoom, who stopped Lon Chi Meng of Macau, in the second round.

Saludar caught the Sri Lanka with a solid left uppercut to the jaw, forcing the Vietnamese referee to stop the fight.

Saludar faces Zhongling Wu of China, conqueror of Bill Vicera in the 48kgs.

Earlier, Alice Kate Aparri, Josie Gabuco, Gerson Nietes, Glicerio Catolico III, and Delfin Boholst had entered into the final.

Winner in each division of the seven-nation slugfest organized by ABAP wins $1,0000.

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PINOY BETS CHARGE ON IN MVP CUP

FIVE Filipino bets are in the finals of the 1st MVP International Boxing Friendship Cup.


Alice Kate Aparri and Josie Gabuco hammered their way past opponents from Thailand, with Gerson Nietes, Glicerio Catolico III and Delfin Boholst also advanced at the PICC Forum Tent last night

Nietes beat Wu Rongguo of China on points in the 51kgs class, Catolico ousted Tso Seng Yu of Hong Kong, 13-3, via referee stopped contest in the 54kgs, and Boholst crushed Wei Jen Chang of Chinese Taipei via referee stopped contest, 10-2.

Cheered by the hometown crowd, Aparri ousted Sopida Satumram, 3-1, in the 48kgs, and Gabuco eliminated Dueannapha Ngalam, 1-0, in the 46kgs.

Rey Saludar, Recky Dulay and Wilfredo Lopez, however, were not as fortunate and lost to their respective Thai rivals.

Saludar vowed to Amnaj Ruenroeng, 3-7, in the 51kgs. Dulay lost to Donchai Thatl, 7-8, in the 54kgs, and Lopez succumbed to Apichet Saensit, 0-3, in the 69kgs..

The win set up Aparri for a winner-take-all match with Shiqi Xu of China while Gabuco forged a title showdown with Tu Fen Weng of Chinese Taipei.

Xu crushed Un Mou Kuan of Macau, 13-3, and Tu clobbered Mak Kit also of Macau, 16-5.

The loss was Satumram’s second to a Filipino since vowing to Annie Albania in the finals in the Asian Indoor Games in Vietnam last year.

Thai coach Chaichoompol Chamnanmark graciously accepted the verdict and praised the Filipino. “She’s good. She fought a superior fight,” said the Thai coach on Aparri.

Gabuco said she doesn’t know much about her Taiwanese rival, adding it was the first time they will meet in the ring.

“Wala akong alam sa kanya dahil ngayon lang kami magkakaharap. Gagawin ko ang lahat para manalo ng gold. Yan naman talaga ang goal ko,” said the 23-year-old native of Puerto Princesa.

Nietes survived Wu Rongguo’s late charge and won the bout on points in the 51kgs.

The 19-year-old southpaw from Bacolod and cousin of WBO champion Donnie Nietes, lead 7-4 midway of the final round, but the Chinese rallied to knot the count at 8-all.

The Filipinos, however, was declared winner based on the individual scoring of the five judges.

Nietes floored Rongguo with a wicked right hook in the third round and the Chinese received a mandatory eight count from the Malaysian referee.

Equally explosive was Catolico III who scored a 13-3 referee stopped contest win in the third round in the 54 kgs.

Nietes meets Amnaj Ruenroeng of China in a winner- take-all match. The Chinese ousted Rey Saludar, 7-3.

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RP BOXERS SHOW WAY

DISPLAYING their readiness for the big war ahead, Filipino boxers yesterday gave future opponents a glimpse of what to expect in the Asian Games in Guangzhou this November.


Before a huge inaugural crowd that included Dr. Ching Kuo Wu of the International Amateur Boxing Association and Chang Jianping, head of the Asian Boxing Confederation, the Filipinos, big in number and in heart, debuted with flair and style.

Setting the stage were Alice Kate Aparri and Gerson Nietes with lopsided victories over separate rivals as host Philippines started its campaign in the MVP International Boxing Friendship Cup on a vigorous note at the PICC Forum Tent.

Aparri, veteran of the Asian Indoor Games held in Vietnam last year, outclassed Kaad Kodituwakku of Sri Lanka, 9-5, in the quarterfinals and assured herself of at least a bronze medal in the light flyweight in the tournament presented by PLDT, while Nietes crushed another DM Samarasekara, 13-3, in the flyweight category.

Ricky Dulay duplicated the feats of Aparri and Nietes by beating Yu Chen Lin of Chinese Taipei on points in the bantamweight division after Donchai Thatl of Thailand clobbered Leong Son Keong of Macau also in the bantamweight class.

Only six boxers are entered in the women’s light flyweight category.

A gold medalist in the 2005 and 2009 Southeast Asian Games and silver medalist in the 2007 edition in Thailand, Aparri dominated the match to reaffirm her mastery of the Sri Lankan whom she beat during the Sri Lanka-Philippine dual meet in 2004.

“Nahirapan ako sa umpisa dahil hindi pa ako pinawisan. Sa second round dominated ko na hanggang sa matapos ang laban,” said Aparri, who turns 26 on July 24.

“Pinaghandaan ko ito. Halos araw-araw ang ensayo namin para sa tournament na ito,” said Aparri, who fought in the 46 kgs. and shifted to 48 kgs. during the 2006 World Boxing championship in India.

Aparri’s impressive win came after Sopida Satumram of Thailand beat Wang Tin Lin of Chinese Taipei also in the light flyweight division.

Satumram lost to Annie Albania for the gold in the flyweight category in the Asian Indoor Games held in Vietnam last year.

The Thai fights in the light flyweight apparently to evade a rematch with Albania.

Displaying superior boxing skill and excellent footwork, the 18-year-old Nietes, veteran of the 2008 World Junior Boxing competition in Mexico and a bronze medalist in the 2009 King’s Cup in Thailand and 2010 China Open, dominated the match, staking his Sri Lankan rival with series of punches on the way to an easy win to the delight of the hometown crowd.

Ten bouts in men and two in women spiced the opening of the five-nation competition which is part of the Filipinos’ preparation for the Asian Games.

Thirty nine male and 19 female boxers from five countries, including host Philippines, are seeing action in the slugfest named in honor of sportsman and business tycoon Manny V. Pangilinan.

In other bouts, the Philippines Charly Suarez defeated MDK Wanniarchchi of Sri Lanka, 5-1, in the 57kg division, and compatriot Joegin Ladon stopped Hong Kong’s Chan TSZ Yin (RSC-outclassed) in 2:35 minutes of the third round in the 60 kg. class.

China’s Yu Cen clobbered Chinese-Taipei, 10-2, in another 60 kg. fight.

Among those who graced the inaugural rites were Philippine Olympic Committee officials former Rep. Jose ‘Peping’ Cojuangco, POC president, chairman Monico Puentevella and secretary-general Steve Hontiveros.

Also present were Philippine Sports Commission’s Richie Garcia, reportedly the next PSC chairman, and Mansueto ‘Onyok’ Velasco, the 1996 Atlanta Olympics silver medalist who did a dance number during the pre-fight show.

ABAP president Ricky Vargas pledged full support for the country’s quest to win its first Olympic gold medal, proclaiming “may asim na ang ABAP ngayon!”

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6 NATIONS VIE IN MVP RINGFEST

THE boxers of Macau and Sri Lanka were the first to set foot in the country to take part in the first MVP Cup International Boxing Friendship Games which fires off today at the Philippine International Convention Center Forum Tent.


The report was made by Amateur Boxing Association of the Philippines executive director Ed Picson.

Gold medals in seven weight categories in the men’s division and five in the women’s side are at stake, with $1,000, courtesy of ABAP chairman and corporate tycoon Manny V. Pangilinan, awaiting each gold medal winner.

Furious action is expected in the following categories: 48kgs., 51kgs.,54kgs., 57kgs., 60kgs., 64kgs., and 69kgs. for men, and 46kgs., 58kgs., 51kgs., 54kgs., and 57kgs. for women.

Bannering the charge of the host country are Charly Suarez, Jherjigs Chavez, Victorio Saludar, Bill Vicera, Rey Saludar, Gerson Nietes, Glicerio Catolico III, Recky Dulay, Joergin Ladon, Jameboy Vicera, Jimmy Vallares, Rolando Tacuyan, Delfin Boholst, Wilfredo Lopez, Josie Gabuco, Alice Kate Aparri, Annie Albania, Nesthy Petecio and Noeme Tacda.

The preliminary bouts start on Thursday after the arrival of foreign boxing officials, referees and judges. Entrance is open free to the sporting public, with buses waiting to ferry spectators from the Rizal Memorial Coliseum on Vito Cruz to the venue at the Cultural Center of the Philippines complex.

Richard Zhang, the Taiwanese president of the Asian Amateur Boxing Confederation, will grace the opening ceremonies of the weeklong competition supported by the Philippine Sports Commission chaired by Harry Angping.

Each of the three rounds will be three minutes in duration with 60 seconds rest between rounds for men, and four rounds of two minutes each with 60 seconds rest for women.

A total of 39 boxers from six countries, including host Philippines, are competing in the slugfest.

Thailand, handled by veteran Cuban ring tactician Malaga, entered 10 boxers, led by 2004 Athens Olympian Worapoj Petchikoom and Asian Indoor Games campaigner Sopida Satumram.

Petchkoom competes in the 57 kilograms and Satumram, who has an old grudge to settle with Annie Albania, having lost to the Filipino in the finals in the Asian Indoor Games in Hanoi, Vietnam last year, sees action in the 51 kgs.

Other Thai boxers are Amnaj Ruenroeng, Donchai Thati, Apichat Kulsri, Oatchariya Haewsuno, Apichet Saensit, Dueannapha Ngalam, Peamwilai Laopeam, and Rewadee Damsri.

Other countries seeing action are China, Chinese-Taipei, and Hong Kong.

China sent three male and one female boxers, Chinese Taipei seven (four men and three female), Sri Lanka nine (five men and four women), Hong Kong four (four male), and Macua five (three male and two female).

Picson is optimistic the Filipinos have good chances against their foreign rivals.

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QUEEN ANA

By Gerry Ramos

THE sky’s the limit as far as Filipina boxing star Ana Julaton is concerned.

Since bagging the World Boxing Organization (WBO) super-bantamweight title two weeks ago, prospects are aplenty for the stunning lass known as `The Hurricane’, with no less than 3 major fights being eyed by her team, including a possible championship clash with Argentine premier boxer Marcela Acuna.

Julaton made known her plans upon arriving in the country for the first time Monday on the invitation of giant network GMA, which aired several of her fights in the past, the latest of which came last June 30 when she scored a split decision over Maria Elena Villalobos of Mexico to win the WBO 120-pound crown.

Named Luciana Bonifacio Julaton, the former taekwondo jin turned boxer admitted being thrilled by her first visit in the Philippines, where she hopes to stage a fight by the end of the year or maybe, by 2011.

“I’m definitely looking forward to fighting here. I would love to have that,” said Julaton when she met the local press during a luncheon hosted by GMA in her behalf led by chairman Atty. Felipe Gozon.

Her U.S. based manager, Angelo Reyes, stressed that they are indeed, looking forward of staging a possible title match here that would pit Julaton against one-time conqueror Liza Brown, a rematch with Villalobos or a showdown with Acuna, the 33-year old native of Formosa, Argentina, who’s the reigning World Boxing Council (WBC) super-featherweight champion.

“Ana wants to stay active and we’re eyeing September for her next fight, hopefully here in the Philippines,” said Reyes, a native of Nasugbu, Batangas.

A duel against any of the three, according to Reyes, is definitely a huge one, especially against Acuna, whom he said is considered as one of the top pound-for-pound woman fighters in the world today.

Brown is also a very interesting prospect as Julaton, now being trained by Hall of Famer Freddie Roach, has an ax to grind against the Canadian, who scored a unanimous decision in their March 27 bout for the World Boxing Association (WBA) junior featherweight crown.

Julaton, owner of a 7-2-2 (win-loss-draw) record, is also not discounting giving Villalobos a rematch in the wake of her split decision win that had two judges scoring the bout in her favor, 96-94.

“Everything is under negotiation. I’m just excited right now being here in front of you and will be taking everything one game at a time,” said Julaton, who traces her roots in Pozzorubio, Pangasinan.

Based in San Francisco, California, Julaton just turned 20 last July 5, prompting GMA network executives to surprise her by presenting a mini cake and a bouquet of flower to the boxing champion.

In turn, she presented Gozon a personally-signed boxing gloves before leaving the premises on her way to a courtesy call with President Aquino in Malacanang.

Julaton understands a little bit of Filipino and speaks simple Filipino words such as `opo’, `maraming salamat’, `mabuhay’ and `kapuso.’

She admitted being a subscriber of GMA Pinoy TV in the U.S. and enjoys watching the long-running noontime show `Eat Bulaga’, citing `Sa Pula, Sa Puti’ as her favorite portion.

By today or Wednesday, she will be traveling to Pangasinan to formally meet her Filipino relatives, before flying back to the U.S. over the weekend.

“I want to enjoy my stay in the Philippines and I would love to comeback for a longer stay,” she said.

“I’m proud to be a Filipino. And I’m proud to be Kapuso.”

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DONAIRE SAVES DAY

PUERTO RICO – Filipino Bernabe Concepcion failed in his bid for the World Boxing Organization (WBO) featherweight title after losing a 2nd round technical knockout loss against fearsome puncher Juan Manuel Lopez.


Lopez knocked Concepcion thrice, including in the first minute of the 12-round title fight at the Coliseo De Puerto Rico in Hato Rey, just outside of the capital city of San Juan.

The end came for the unmatched challenger in the 2:37 of the second round when referee Luis Pabon stepped in to half the bout.

But Concepcion also had his moment when he caught Lopez with a flushing left hook that sent the champion down to the canvas.

“Sometimes you get a little bit overconfident,” said the charismatic champion (29-0, with 26 KOs). “That’s what happened there. I have to be cautious never to be over confident.”

Young Eden Sonsona also loses his North Atlantic Boxing Organization super-bantamweight title fight against Jonathan Oquendo.

The 21-year old Sonsona was stopped at the 1:09 mark of the ninth round after previously being knocked down in the eight.

Nonito Donaire proved to be the saving grace for the Philippines as he successfully defended his interim World Boxing Association (WBA) super flyweight title with an eighth-round technical knockout of Mexican Hernan Marquez.

Donaire improved to 24-1, including 16 KOs. Marquez lost for the second straight fight and dropped to 25-2 (18 KOs).

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BARELY FOR BRIAN

FORMER two-time world champion Brian Viloria didn’t disappoint in his flyweight debut, scoring a split decision against Mexican Omar Soto Saturday night at the Ynares Sports Arena in Pasig.

After the game, book you hotel through Expedia.

There were no knockdowns in the 10-round non-title bout serving as Viloria’s comeback fight, but the 29-year old native of Honolulu , Hawaii inflicted damages enough to win in two of the three judges’ scorecards.

Ricardo Canlas and Edwin Sese saw the fight in Viloria’s favor, scoring it both 97-93, while Atty. Epi Almeda had it 97-93 for Soto.

Although satisfied with the win fashioned out before a sizeable weekend crowd that included reigning World Boxing Organization (WBO) welterweight champion Congressman Manny Pacquiao and former two-time world champion Gerry Penalosa, Viloria admitted there are still a lot of things to improve in his bid to win a third world championship.

“I was off six months. I thought this is a good step. I wanted to be safe in there. I don’t want to make it too dramatic,” said Viloria in the post-fight press conference of the boxing card billed `Unbreakable (Boxing At The Bay 4) promoted by Solar Sports.

“I will go back straight to the gym and work even harder for the next fight.”

Viloria improved to 27-3, with 15 KOs . The win was the first for the former Olympian, who suffered a heartbreaking 12-round knockout loss to Columbian Carlos Tamara in January to yield his International Boxing Federation (IBF) light-flyweight title.

Accompanied by his team including fiancé Erika Navarro and trainers Ruben Gomez and Frank Liles, Viloria is bound to visit relatives in Ilocos by Monday and then flies back to the U.S. just before the week is over.

He said a possible next fight may come either in October or November.

Soto fell to 19-7-2 with 13 KOs , and didn’t hide his disappointment about getting the raw end of the deal.

“I traveled a long way and I expected a lot. I think the fight was a lot closer in my favor,” added the Mexican, who sported a blot on his right eye, which he claimed was courtesy of a Viloria headbutt.

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BRIAN READY

Viloria: 112, Soto:111.5

NOW fighting in a weight class he considers as ideal for him, former two-time world champion Brian Viloria launches his comeback fight tonight in what he considers as the start of a bid for another world championship.


The 29-year old Viloria squares off with Mexican Omar Soto in a 10-round non-title bout at the Ynares Sports Arena in Pasig City, marking his first ring appearance in six months since yielding his International Boxing Federation (IBF) light-flyweight crown to Carlos Tamara of Colombia last January.

Following that heartbreaking loss at the Astrodome that saw the former Olympian from Honolulu, Hawaii collapsed at his dressing room after the fight and rushed to the hospital later on, Viloria decided to move up in weight and campaign in the flyweight division.

At the official weigh-in for the fight at the Ruby Hall Crown of the Galleria Hotel, Viloria didn’t have a hard time making the weight limit, coming in at exactly 112 pounds.

Soto tipped in at 111 and ½ pounds.

“You’re gonna see the best Brian Viloria. I’m not taking anything for granted. I’m gonna show the real me,” said Viloria, owner of a 26-3 record, 15 of them by way of knockout.

Billed `Unbreakable’, the promotion is the fourth installment of the Boxing At The Bay series promoted by Solartv and Solar Sports.

Soto vows to spoil Viloria’s comeback bid.

“I know he’s a very fast boxer. But my advantage is my speed. So it’s going to be a fast and intelligent fight this Saturday,” the 30-year old Mexican said.

Soto (19-6, 13 KOs) twice campaigned for a world title in the past, but lost both chances against Muhammad Rachman in 2006 (IBF minimumweight) and Omar Andres Narvaez just last year (World Boxing Organization flyweight).

Unlike Viloria, Soto drew with Juan Kantun in his last match three months ago in Mexico.

Serving as co-main event of the boxing program is the IBF Pan Pacific championship between Filipino Al Sabaupan and Wonchit Twins Gym of Thailand.

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WATCH OUT FOR THE BEST BRIAN

Viloria (left) and Soto

By Gerry Ramos

FORMER two-time world champion Brian Viloria promised to come out a better fighter in his comeback bout this Saturday, a period in his unpredictable career which he refers to as a `new chapter in my book.’

“You’re gonna see the best Brian Viloria. I’m not taking anything for granted. I’m gonna show the real me,” Viloria declared for the all the people to hear during Wednesday’s press conference of the `Unbreakable’ boxing promotion, the fourth installment of the Boxing At The Bay series promoted by Solar Sports.

Omar Sotto, Viloria’s 30-year- old Mexican opponent, sat just a few seats away from the Filipino at the elevated podium, and definitely didn’t miss a word on what the former Olympian had just stated.

He does believe Viloria every inch of what he said and that’s the very reason why he agreed to take the 10-round non-title fight at the Ynares Sports Center in Pasig.

“Brian is a great fighter and very famous around the world. That’s the reason why we accepted this fight,” said Soto through an interpreter seated beside him at the ballroom of the Crowne Plaza Hotel.

“I know he’s a very fast boxer. But my advantage is my speed. So it’s going to be a fast and intelligent fight this Saturday,” added Soto, owner of a 27-6 record, 13 of them by way of knockout.

The match will be Viloria’s first since losing a heartbreaking 12th round technical knockout loss to Carlos Tamara of Colombia last January at the Astrodome, a setback that yielded the Filipino’s International Boxing Federation (IBF) light-flyweight crown.

Dehydrated, Viloria collapsed in his dressing room shortly after the fight and had to be rushed to the San Juan De Dios Hospital and later, transferred at the Makati Medical Center, where he was confined for about five days.

In the aftermath of the unexpected defeat, speculations understandably floated about the 29-year old Viloria (26-3, 15 KOs) finally calling it quits.

But after a brief rest and thinking it over, Viloria decided to resume his career and go for another world title at the flyweight division – the same weight class where his career all began,

“The last fight was disconcerted for me. But things happened that way,” he said. “I just wanted to pick myself right now. This fire has been burning in me since training camp and I’m going to show that side of me this Saturday.”

Viloria will also not be having long-time trainer Robert Garcia in his corner this time, following a spat that ultimately resulted to their break-up owing to disagreement whether the native of Honolulu, Hawaii is really ready for his comeback fight against Soto.

Garcia has since concentrated in training another Filipino fighter in former world champion Nonito Donaire Jr.

“Robert has to do what he had to do. I have nothing to say about the matter,” he said. “Right now, I’m comfortable with the people that I’ve worked with. It’s better off that way.”

Taking over from Garcia is Viloria’s long-time cutman and corner man Ruben Gomez.

“I have a lot of respect for Robert. We respect his opinion and we wish him good luck,” he said. “But right now, our focus is on Omar Soto. Our focus is on Saturday night. Omar Soto is the present and Saturday night is the future.”

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