Not over for Viloria

LOS ANGELES – Former WBC/IBF lightflyweight and WBO flyweight champion Brian Viloria said the other day he’s not retiring from boxing but at the moment, the Hawaiian Punch who traces his roots to Narvacan, Ilocos Sur, is spending time with his family before reporting back to training at the Wild Card Gym here.

“Our family will be doing a lot of traveling in the coming months,” said Viloria who hasn’t fought since losing to WBC flyweight titlist Roman Gonzalez at Madison Square Garden in New York City last October. “We’re leaving for Hawaii soon to attend my wife Erica’s sister’s wedding. Then, we’re off to New York for the International Boxing Hall of Fame (IBHOF) induction in June. We’re also visiting relatives in Seattle. Our son Tyler is turning two next month and we can’t keep up with him. He’s growing up so fast. No second child in the works, however.”

Viloria said he was invited by IBHOF executive director Ed Brophy to grace the enshrinement ceremonies. A video of Viloria’s greatest fights will be shown during the Hall of Fame weekend to recognize his achievements and contributions to the sport. Inductees are selected in five categories – modern (last bout no earlier than 1989), old-timer (last bout no earlier than 1893 and no later than 1988), pioneer (last bout in or before 1982), non-participants (including judges and referees) and observer (including journalists).

“I’m excited to attend the Hall of Fame ceremonies,” said Viloria. “I understand you’re eligible five years after you retire. I’m told about 35 legends will attend, including Marvelous Marvin Hagler, Pernell Whitaker, Jake LaMotta and Julio Cesar Chavez. Among the inductees are former world champions Hector (Macho) Camacho, Hilario Zapata of Panama and Lupe Pintor of Mexico.”

Viloria, 35, said he expects to return to the ring for a tune-up match in October or November then take a crack at another world title. “I think I’ve got a couple of years of fighting left,” he said. “I’m going after a world title, maybe the IBF flyweight championship (now held by Amnuat Ruenroeng of Thailand). I’d like a rematch with Gonzalez, too. Chocolatito is a special guy, a great champion. I thought the referee (Benjy Esteves) stopped it too soon. I could’ve gone on, I wasn’t hurt badly. But it is what it is. If there’s a chance to fight Gonzalez again, I’m all for it. But I’m definitely out for another title.”

Viloria said he has no plans to move up to the superflyweight division. “Right now, I’m walking around at 120 to 125 pounds,” he said. “I think I’m a natural flyweight. I can easily take off 10 pounds. In the lighter weight divisions, a three-pound difference is a lot. So if I move up to superflyweight, I’ll be at 115. Maybe, sometime down the road, I might decide to move up.”

Gonzalez, who is unbeaten, stakes his crown against McWilliams Arroyo of Puerto Rico at the Forum in Inglewood, California, on Saturday. His record is 44-0, with 38 KOs. Gonzalez, 28, stopped Viloria in the ninth round. It was the fifth loss in Viloria’s career that started in 2001. The other defeats were dealt by Omar Romero in 2006, Edgar Sosa in 2007, Carlos Tamara in 2010 and Juan Francisco Estrada in 2013. Viloria has compiled a 36-5 slate, with 22 KOs.

Viloria said he’s cheering for WBO superbantamweight champion Nonito Donaire Jr. to retain his crown against Hungarian challenger Zsolt Bedak at the open-air Cebu City Sports Complex on Saturday.

“Nonito knows what he has to do to win and I’m confident he’ll get it done,” said Viloria. “I thought Nicholas Walters was just too big for Nonito when they fought. Even with the size disparity, Nonito hurt Walters. I wish Nonito the best of luck. I’ve experienced fighting in an open-air atmosphere and it’s exciting. It was in 2003 at Pismo Beach, California, and I knocked out Luis Doria with my first punch. The fight was over in 1:14. We fought right by the ocean and it was a bit chilly in the late afternoon. I know Nonito’s fight won’t be near a beach but there will be lots of fans and I’m excited for Nonito to make the country proud.”