Viloria says let’s do business

World Boxing Council (WBC) lightflyweight champion Brian Viloria said the other day he’s looking forward to cleaning up the ranks up to the flyweight division and tough guys like Jorge Arce, Vic Darchinyan, Ulises Solis and Ivan Calderon are in his list of future opponents.

"I’ll probably defend my title, maybe twice more then I’ll go up to flyweight where there’s more public interest and bigger money," said Viloria. "Arce’s been shooting his mouth off, boasting to destroy me in my own backyard with my relatives as judges. Like I told him to his face, let’s do business."

Viloria, 25, arrived here from Los Angeles last Tuesday. The day before, he was in Osaka as Japanese promoter Akihiko Honda’s guest to witness WBC superflyweight champion Masamori Tokuyama’s title defense against Jose Navarro.

Viloria said his first visit to Japan was an eye-opener.

"I was surprised to find out how knowledgeable Japanese boxing fans are," he noted. "I was impressed by Joe Koizumi who told me he’d like to do business. Honda invited my father and me to go to Tokyo after the fight but we couldn’t accept because of our schedule to leave for Manila the next day. A lot of Japanese fans asked for my autograph and took my picture. I know there are several world-rated Japanese contenders in my division so I can foresee offers to fight in Japan which is a huge market for fighters in the lighter weight classes."

Viloria attended the fight to cheer for Navarro who was his Sydney Olympic teammate. Navarro lost to Tokuyama on points.

Viloria and his father Benjamin flew to Ilocos Sur, yesterday as Gov. Luis (Chavit) Singson’s guests to visit relatives in Narvacan. They are expected back in Manila this afternoon.

Viloria said a fight against Calderon, the stylish World Boxing Organization (WBO) minimumweight titlist, would be "boring" because the Puerto Rican prefers to slip and slide instead of slug it out.

Nothing is final as to whom he will fight next although Solis, the International Boxing Federation (IBF) lightflyweight champion, looms as a candidate in a unification bout. Top Rank head Bob Arum recently told Viloria’s manager Gary Gittelsohn he will reserve a slot for the champion in the undercard of a Madison Square Garden bill in New York City on June 10.

Solis, 24, has a 20-1-1 record, with 15 KOs. He shares the same manager, Fernando Beltran, as Erik Morales. The Mexican won the IBF crown on a unanimous 12-round decision over Will Grigsby at the Madison Square Garden last January. His only loss was a defeat by majority decision to Nelson Dieppa in a WBO lightflyweight title fight in Louisville two years ago.

Viloria said going the limit to decision Jose Antonio Aguirre in his first championship defense in Las Vegas last month was a blessing in disguise.

"I only fought seven total rounds in over a year before the Aguirre fight," said Viloria. "(Trainer) Freddie (Roach) told me it was good the fight went the distance because I needed the workout since my last fight ended in only one round. What it proved was I’m not just a puncher but I can box, too. That showed my ability to adjust."

Viloria admitted the hairline fracture in his right hand was a handicap. He ruled out the theory that he failed to stop Aguirre because he was overtrained and burned out.

"I felt pain in my hand starting the third round after I hit him on the head," said Viloria. "I broke the same hand in my first fight ever five years ago but I didn’t want to think about it. It stopped me from going for a knockout."

The condition of his right hand might force Viloria to use the US-made Everlast instead of the Mexico-made Cleto Reyes gloves in future fights.

"The Reyes gloves are perfect for punchers because the more you hit, the more exposed your knuckles get as the foam starts to crumble inside," said Viloria. "I thought of using Winning gloves which have more padding around the knuckles but in my next fight, maybe I’ll try Everlast which I’ve used before to score knockouts. Everlast is in the middle of the two extremes, Reyes and Winning."

Viloria said like Manny Pacquiao, he can sing and has recorded a CD for possible release in the local market.

During his visit, Viloria did the rounds of TV talk shows and appeared as guest in variety TV programs.

"I came over to visit relatives and discuss future plans with Solar Sports," said Viloria. "Besides, I miss Filipino food. I also want to thank the Filipino fans for praying for me and for their support."

Viloria and his father will leave Manila on Friday and then visit his family in Honolulu before returning to Los Angeles to confer with Gittelsohn on plans for his next fight.

Filipino promoter Gabriel (Bebot) Elorde, meanwhile, is offering Viloria a $150,000 purse, tax-free, to stake his crown against No. 1 contender Juanito Rubillar on May 6 at the Elorde Sports Complex in Sucat.