By Rey Anthony: Remember when you were in High School and you have that very hot girl that you were able to get? You went out for a long time when one night you attended a house party but unfortunately after going out with her for a long time, she did not leave with you after the party. She left with someone else. You were heart broken. You tried to get her back but did not succeed. Then after a while you heard that the only reason why she left you for him was because he drugged her.
You moved on and tried to explore other things. You succeeded and you failed and you no longer have any interest with her. Unfortunately, the thorn that the dude who took her planted to your heart remained there. The thought of him still pains you. Until after a long time, he tried to once again take the girl you are with. Only this time you are confident that she will NEVER be his. No not this time. It will never be possible.
Welcome to the Boxing career of Brian Viloria, the undefeated light flyweight contender more than half a decade ago. Hawaiian Punch Viloria had all the signs of being one of the top boxers in the world. Knocking out his opponent’s within the first couple of rounds, he packed that solid left hook and right straight that makes you realize you are already in the canvass before you know it.
That was until Omar Nino Romero stepped in the ring with him on that fateful August 10 of 2008 in Las Vegas. For twelve grueling rounds that night, Viloria was outworked, out punched and outclassed by the underdog who, in posters and promotional materials looked more like Tom Selleck than a Mexican flyweight pug with that mustache.
Suddenly, Viloria saw his record being tarnished by not only one but three consecutive losses. Fortunately for him, one of those losses from the rematch with Romero was turned into a No contest after Romero was found positive with an illegal substance. Might be a vindication but it was too late. Brian dropped down the world rankings. Most fight fans at that time were thinking that he should hang up the gloves.
Fortunately for him and for his supporters, he was able to bounce back. He won seven consecutive bouts to try and redeem himself and take back what was rightfully his.
Fast forward to last Saturday evening May 12, 2012. In front of a packed crown in Ynares sports arena in Pasig City, Philippines. Brian “Hawaian Punch” Viloria, for the third time squared off against the man who started it all, the man who pulled him down the ladder. This is now his chance. This is now his time for redemption.
Grab that moment he did. The fight scheduled for 12 rounds only lasted for 9. Viloria’s jabs, hooks, power punches and uppercuts carried all the 6 years of his hard work, his gloves landing on Romero’s head and body. Romero was stunned a couple of times and was on the verge of dropping most notably during the fourth round when a solid left hook landed on Romero’s chin and backing him up. Viloria took a little more than half a second to realize that he caught his opponent and it was his chance. Unfortunately, his onslaught did not pay off. Romero was able to recover and survive the round and the 4 rounds following that.
Viloria was able to dominate his opponent the whole fight. The ninth round proved to be the exclamation point of that match. At 2:07 of that round, the referee stopped the fight and his corner offered no opposition to the decision. For the Hawaiian Punch, the redemption is complete.
With that out of the way, WBO champ Brian Viloria can now leave the past behind and move forward with new chapters of history that he will write in the ring and for the sport of Boxing.