Philippines, 02 Feb 2026
  Home >> News

 


BOXERS

CURRENT CHAMPIONS 

FORMER CHAMPIONS   

RATINGS                       

NEWS           

FORUM        

FIGHT GALLERIES        

RING CARD GIRLS        


 
 
News  


One final run for Hawaiian Punch


PhilBoxing.com




Ending a 1 1/2 year layoff, former WBA/WBO flyweight and IBF lightflyweight champion Brian Viloria returns to the ring against Mexico?s Ruben (Hurricane) Montoya at the Ryogoku Sumo Arena in Tokyo on Thursday, vowing to give it his all in one final run for another world title.

?I took over a year off to think about things, to reset, to spend a little more time with my family,? said Viloria who arrived in Tokyo with his wife Erica and their two-year-old son Tyler from Los Angeles last Thursday. ?It gave me time to think about the next step in my boxing career. I?m 36 now, I know I don?t have much time left. I came to a conclusion for me to make one more run, one more campaign towards another world title fight.?

Viloria recently signed a promotional contract with Akikiho Honda?s Teiken group of Japan. He said his comeback fight will be an all out war. ?I?m giving it my all,? he said. ?When I finally hang up my gloves, I don?t want to leave anything behind, knowing I put all my energy, all my effort in the ring.?

Viloria resumed training at the Wild Card Gym in Los Angeles under Freddie Roach?s chief assistant Marvin Somodio last November. Somodio, however, will not be in Viloria?s corner in Tokyo. Long-time cutman and father-figure Ruben Gomez will take charge of the cornerwork. Viloria?s Los Angeles manager Gary Gittelsohn will be at ringside.

The road back to the top starts with an eight-round bout against Montoya whose record is 14-4-1, with 9 KOs. Viloria hasn?t fought since losing to Roman (Chocolatito) Gonzalez by a ninth round stoppage in a bid for the WBC flyweight crown at Madison Square Garden in New York City in October 2015. Viloria?s record is 36-5, with 22 KOs.

In the undercard, Japan?s Ryosuke Iwasa takes on Zamboanga Sibugay featherweight Glenn (Little Navarrete) Medura in an eight-round bout. Medura, 21, is unbeaten in his last nine outings. Iwasa,, 27, has a 22-2 record with 14 KOs, and is the IBF?s No. 3 superbantamweight.

Photo: Brian Viloria (L) trains with Marvin Somodio for his Japan fight at the Wildcard Gym in Los Angeles.


Click here to view a list of other articles written by Joaquin Henson.


Recent PhilBoxing.com In-House articles:

  • 76ers star Paul George has been suspended for 25 NBA games by doping
    By Gabriel F. Cordero, , Sun, 01 Feb 2026
  • Fit To Be Unified: Xander Zayas Defeats Abass Baraou To Unify Junior Middleweight World Titles
    , Sun, 01 Feb 2026
  • Fit To Be Unified: Xander Zayas Defeats Abass Baraou To Unify Junior Middleweight World Titles
    , Sun, 01 Feb 2026
  • Trazo beats Jabagat in Talisay
    By Lito delos Reyes, , Sun, 01 Feb 2026
  • Into fights Sanchez on Feb. 9 at Villa Kristen
    By Lito delos Reyes, , Sun, 01 Feb 2026
  • Teofimo Lopez vs Shakur Stevenson: Styles Make Fights Fitting Cliche
    By Chris Carlson, , Sat, 31 Jan 2026
  • Bryan Flores Wins Majority Decision Over Starling Castillo in Main Event of ProBoxTV’s ‘The Contender Series’ at Live! Casino Hotel Maryland
    , Sat, 31 Jan 2026
  • KinetixSports Legacy Run on March 1
    By Lito delos Reyes, , Sat, 31 Jan 2026
  • THE RING 6: OFFICIAL WEIGHTS AND RUNNING ORDER FOR TEOFIMO LOPEZ VS. SHAKUR STEVENSON
    , Sat, 31 Jan 2026
  • Legendary Soccer Player Sergio Ramos to make professional boxing debut
    By Gabriel F. Cordero, , Sat, 31 Jan 2026
  • Weigh-In Results: Xander Zayas vs. Abass Baraou
    , Sat, 31 Jan 2026
  • Teofimo vs Shakur Fight Analysis
    By Ralph Rimpell, , Sat, 31 Jan 2026
  • Rohan Polanco-Christian Gomez Welterweight Showdown Canceled
    , Sat, 31 Jan 2026
  • NEWCASTLE WEIGH-IN RESULTS AND FIGHT NIGHT RUNNING ORDER CONFIRMED AS MURTAZALIEV AND KELLY CLASH FOR WORLD TITLE
    , Fri, 30 Jan 2026
  • Boxers Make Weight for Brico Santig’s Exciting 21-Bout Promotion in Thailand (PHOTOS)
    By Carlos Costa, , Fri, 30 Jan 2026
  • “It’s time for TSABZ to shine” Get to know Tanaka Saburi as he retuns March 13 in Perth – Thunderdome 53
    , Fri, 30 Jan 2026
  • ATLANTIC CITY BOXING HALL OF FAME ANNOUNCES CLASS OF 2026
    , Fri, 30 Jan 2026
  • Manny Pacquiao Chess Philippines: WCM Nika Juris Nicolas is Ready to Fight
    By Marlon Bernardino, , Fri, 30 Jan 2026
  • PFDA Grass Nationals in Tagum on June 5-7
    By Lito delos Reyes, , Fri, 30 Jan 2026
  • Press Conference Notes: Puerto Rican Star Xander Zayas Ready for Saturday's Hometown Unification Battle against Abass Baraou
    , Fri, 30 Jan 2026
  • PFDA Grass Nationals in Tagum on June 5-7
    By Lito delos Reyes, , Fri, 30 Jan 2026
  • ‘THE RING 6’ TEOFIMO LOPEZ VS. SHAKUR STEVENSON PRESS CONFERENCE QUOTES
    , Fri, 30 Jan 2026
  • NEWCASTLE PRESS CONFERENCE: WHAT WAS SAID AS JOSH KELLY AND BAKHRAM MURTAZALIEV ARE KEPT APART AFTER HEATED FACE-OFF
    , Fri, 30 Jan 2026
  • Weights From ProBoxTV’s ‘Flores vs. Castillo’ at Live! Casino Hotel Maryland
    , Fri, 30 Jan 2026
  • WAPA Deportes Confirmed as Puerto Rican Broadcast Home for Saturday’s Xander Zayas vs. Abass Baraou Title Unification Showdown
    , Fri, 30 Jan 2026




  •  



     
    PhilBoxing.com has been created to support every aspiring
    Filipino boxer and the Philippine boxing scene in general.
    Please send comments to feedback@philboxing.com


    PRIVATE POLICY | LEGAL DISCLAIMER
    developed and maintained by dong secuya
    © 2026 philboxing.com.