Viloria plans to wear down Mexican challenger

MANILA – Dead serious about retaining his title, IBF junior flyweight champion Brian Viloria said he plans to wear down Mexican challenger Jesus Iribe when they meet up for their “Island Assault” showdown this Saturday (Sunday in the Philippines).

Viloria told Ricardo Conde of Hotboxing news.com that Iribe likes to fight from a distance. “I don't think he likes to tangle it up in the middle,” he said.

To get to Iribe, Viloria said he will have to apply extra pressure to wear out the Mexican challenger.

“I'm just going to have to put a lot of pressure on him and put my combinations together and I should be able to break him down that way,” he said.

Viloria had just won the IBF title by knocking out Ulises Solis on April 19, 2009. The Filipino-American said he does not plan to lose the belt anytime soon.

Iribe, meanwhile, is also determined to snatch the belt from Viloria.

In a report by PhilBoxing.com’s Dong Secuya, the Mexican said it will be all business when he steps inside the ring.

"We respect the champion but we are going home with the title," Iribe said through his manager Alejandro Brito.

The Viloria-Iribe match up is slated to take place at the Blaisdell Arena in Hawaii.

Included in the under card matches are Viloria's fellow Filipinos AJ "Bazooka" Banal and Dennis Laurente, both of whom will face Mexican foes.

The come-backing Banal is set to face Jose Angel Beranza while Laurente will square it off with Zaid Zalaveta.