Philippines Fight Night: Brian “Pinoy Punch” Viloria defends IBF Light Flyweight title this Saturday Night
By Gina L. Caliboso
This Saturday, Brian “Pinoy Punch” Viloria, 26-2, 15 KO’s, will go up against Columbian Carlos “El Olimpico” Tamara, 20-4, 14 KO’s, in order to defend his IBF Light Flyweight title. The fight will take place at the Cuneta Astrodome, Pasay City, Metro Manila, Philippines.
Viloria currently ranks #1 among Light Flyweight fighters. His opponent, Tamara, will put up a good fight and will give Viloria a challenge. As a light flyweight, Tamara earned a Silver medal for Colombia at the 2003 Santo Domingo Pan American Games.
At 26-2, 15 KO’s, Viloria goes into the fight well-prepared and confident. Born and raised in Hawaii, Viloria is slowly making his way into the spotlight with his last few fights being won in a convincing fashion. I had previously profiled Viloria and mentioned his losses, but his wins have been nothing less than dominating.
Viloria took some much needed time off in 2009 and comes away looking a little more focused. Since coming off a loss in 2007 against Edgar Sosa, 37-6, 21 KO’s, for the vacant WBC Light Flyweight title, Viloria went through a reinvention of his career. First, in February 2008, he started back at the bottom with a less than hyped venue at the Alameda Swap Meet. He defeated Jose Garcia Bernal in an 8 round unanimous decision. Since then, Viloria has moved on to bigger and more prestigious venues and opponents.
In May 2008, he defeated Fred Heberto Valdez with a 3rd round KO in a scheduled 10 round bout. Four months later in September 2008, he defeated Juan Javier Lagos with an 8 round unanimous decision. He closed out 2008 with a 2nd round KO victory over Benjamin Garcia.
Viloria continued his battling back to the spotlight in 2009. In April 2009, he defeated the light flyweight fighter that every Filipino fighter wants to fight – Ulises Solis. Against Solis, Vilonia came away with an 11th round KO in a scheduled 12 round bout. Finally, in August 2009, in front of his hometown crowd, Viloria defeated Jesus Iribe over 12 rounds by unanimous decision and became the IBF Light Flyweight titleholder.
As an amateur, Tamara fought for Columbia in the Light Flyweight division at the 2004 Olympics in Greece. Three years younger than Viloria, Tamara is just beginning to find his way into bigger fights and better opponents. In the last two years, Tamara has slowed down his pace of fighting. This can never hurt a fighter at the beginning of his career. By contrast, Tamara had fought 6 times throughout 2007 and came away with 2 losses. By 2008, he had fought only twice.
In January 2008, in a fight against Omar Andres Narvaez for the WBO Light Flyweight title, Tamara lost over 12 rounds by unanimous decision. Later in June 2008 against Juan Esquer, Tamara earned a victory by unanimous decision over 12 rounds. In 2009, Tamara fought twice and won each time. In August 2009, he fought against Nelson Cantero and won by TKO in the 4th round of a scheduled 8 round bout. Finally, Tamara ended 2009 on a winning note. In October 2009, he defeated Alfonso De La Hoz, 14-24, 7 KO’s with a 6 round unanimous decision.
For Saturday, I predict that Viloria will come out the winner. Viloria is soaring off of some new found direction and confidence. Tamara may give Viloria a hard time over 12 rounds, but in the end Viloria will win over 12 rounds in a unanimous decision – if not sooner by TKO, or even a KO.