Viloria in 5

By Edri K. Aznar

NEWLY-crowned interim World Boxing Association super flyweight titleholder Nonito Donaire Jr. is confident it will only take five rounds for his fellow Filipino world champion Brian Viloria to dispose Mexican of challenger Jesus Iribe and retain his International Boxing Federation (IBF) light flyweight crown on Aug. 29 in Hawaii.

“I’m confident that Brian will win by knockout. Viloria’s very strong in the early rounds so I’m looking maybe within the fifth round,” said Donaire in a report posted at GMANews.tv.

The 27-year-old Donaire, who recently won the interim WBA title after a unanimous decision victory over Rafael Concepcion in Las Vegas, believes that Viloria is one of the best light flyweights and that he has what it takes to defeat anyone.

“I think he (Viloria) will do a good job. Viloria is strong and I feel that he’s motivated. And when he’s motivated, he’ll defeat everybody in his weight,” he said.

Donaire added that Viloria has the advantage in his title defense this Sunday (RP time) because he is fighting in his own turf with the support of his fans.

“The home crowd, definitely, is to his advantage. His family will be there, friends and the Filipinos, almost everybody is there already,” said Donaire.

Donaire and Viloria fought in the first “Filipino Power” boxing extravaganza, held last April at the Araneta Coliseum.

Both fighters won, with Donaire beating erstwhile undefeated Raul Martinez via a fourth round technical knockout to retain his IBF flyweight title, while Viloria captured the IBF crown after stopping long-time reigning champion Ulises Solis in the 11th round.


Published in the Sun.Star Cebu newspaper on August 27, 2009.