Hawaii’s Brian Viloria knocked out Ulises Solis in the 11th round to win the IBF light flyweight title this past Saturday at the Araneta Coliseum in Manila, Philippines.

Nonito Donaire Jr. and Brian Viloria, bitter rivals during their amateur days, showcase their talents when the country stages its first-ever dual world championship card on March 22 at the Araneta Coliseum in Quezon City.

Donaire, who dethroned Australia-born Armenian Vic Darchinyan by knockout, will defend his International Boxing Federation (IBF) flyweight crown against undefeated Mexican Raul Martinez in a 12-round clash.  Martinez, 27, has a 24-0 record, with 17 KOs, and is the IBA superflyweight champion.  Last November, he weighed 113 1/2 pounds in knocking out Victor Proa in one round in Philadelphia. Three years ago, Martinez tipped the scales at 119 in halting Andres Ledesma.

In the companion main event, Brian Viloria (a former WBC light flyweight champion) will take on IBF light flyweight titlist Ulises Solis of Mexico in hopes to reclaim his status as the top dog in the 108lb class - 12 round championship bout.

Promoted by Bob Arum in association with Solar Sports, the card will feature the Los Angeles-based Donaire and Viloria (grew up in Hawaii), as headliners for the first time since they fought as amateurs during the 2000 Olympic Trials.

Former WBC light flyweight champion Brian Viloria, now fighting as a flyweight, scored a big win as his comeback continued with a unanimous points decision over Cesar “Gallito” Lopez on the undercard of the “Revenge or Repeat” fight card featuring Kelly Pavlik and Jermain Taylor.

Although it may be considered somewhat of a comedown for a former world champion to fight an eight rounder, the card was so loaded with great world title fights that there was no room for Viloria. But, the fighter who traces his roots to Ilocos Sur but is nicknamed “The Hawaiin Punch” took the fight and put on an impressive performance.

All three judges had Viloria winning handily with two judges scoring it for the former champion 78-73 and the third judge 77-74.

Viloria dropped Lopez in the fifth round with a solid right but couldn’t finish the job against the durable Lopez who hasn’t been knocked out in his career with a record of 20-6-4 with 4 knockouts.

Viloria who defeated Jose Garcia Bernal last January 24 after losing a majority decision to Edgar Sosa in a battle for the vacant WBC title on April 14,2007 is reportedly eyeing a title shot at Nonito “The Filipino Flash” Donaire but that will have to wait since Donaire is scheduled to defend his title against Australia’s Hussein Hussein in Dubai on April 18.

Lopez who is from El Paso, Texas lost a unanimous decision to Isidro Garcia in an IBA title fight on April 17, 2007 and earlier dropped a unanimous decision to Glenn Donaire , older brother of Nonito Donaire in an NABA and vacant WBO NABO flyweight title bout on May 5, 2006.

Source: PhilBoxing.com
By Ronnie Nathanielsz
Photos by: JAE C. HONG | Associated Press