?Brian Viloria will not last long??
Scarcely had I uttered my prediction on Brian?s future when my bro, Atty. Ramsey Quijano, hearing what I said, stepped away from the pool table to inquire into the logic of my meanderings. ??as a junior flyweight? I continued. Satisfied with my clarification, he continued with his peerless cuing and proceeded to sink the nine ball into the side pocket with flourish.
After several rounds of my favorite brew, I told my Thursday Club hoops buddies that Brian Viloria had something in common with Erik Morales. No, it?s not the bushy eyebrows, I harshly rebuked Freddieboy Serafica, former Crispa Redmanizer stalwart. It?s a weight thing.
Unknown to most, Brian Viloria was a flyweight when he donned the US colors in the 2000 Olympics and when he debuted in the professional ranks to such high expectations. He remained one throughout his career up until the time he seized the WBC light flyweight title from Eric Ortiz in 2005.
Why the drop in weight? For obvious reasons, Brian grabbed the opportunity to fight for a world title even if it meant fighting at a smaller weight class for the first time. Unfortunately however, being a champion is not a one shot deal. It?s a full time job which entails title defenses against hungry challengers out to take your scalp.
And was Brian fully apprised of the responsibilities accompanying his epochal feat? You be the judge. Brian was paraded all over the Philippines, from Malacanang Palace to late night talk shows, and guest appearances at shows offering him the opportunity to showcase his rapping abilities, his cute cherub-like face obviously betraying the fact that he had too many slices of pie here and there.
The result? You would have to be half blind not to notice Brian?s hollow cheeks and sunken eyes in his first defense against Jose Antonio Aguirre. After dominating the first few rounds, Brian was clearly zapped of energy, so he elected to coast along the rest of the way. A portent of things to come?
You bet. Omar Nino Romero was next in line, and Brian Viloria disappointed millions of Pinoys when he fought like Bryan Adams and practically handed Omar Nino the WBC belt. Afterwards, trainer Freddie Roach claimed that just could not motivate Brian enough and wondered if it could have been the weight.
At age 25, Brian?s body mass militates against his staying at a weight which makes him weak, slow and just plain tired. I personally would have preferred him moving back up to flyweight where he is more comfortable. Is regaining the WBC light flyweight title worth the risk of possibly ruining a young promising career?
On Sept. 17, 1999, a weight-drained 21-year-old Manny Pacquiao lost the WBC Flyweight title on the scales and the subsequent fight against Medgoen Lukchaopormasak. Manny even shaved his head in a futile attempt to make the weight, all to no avail. It took only three painful rounds for Manny to become an ex-champ.
After that devastating loss, Manny heeded mother nature?s admonishment and moved up in weight. He said to hell with it and proceeded to win his next six fights by knockout and culminated his rebirth at three weight classes higher by destroying Lehlo Ledwaba in 6 rounds to win the IBF Junior Featherweight crown. The rest they say, is history.
Brian should have taken his cue from his more illustrious countryman. Brian?s career will suffer a major blow if he loses back-to-back to Omar Nino, a nondescript, albeit technically proficient boxer. Bigger prey at a bigger weight class await.
Trying to regain a belt you would have to vacate a few fights later is a thoroughly unpalatable prospect especially when attended to by weighty considerations.
For his sake, I hope Brian performs well on Nov. 19. After all, this fight must have been worth the weight.
The Last Round. This week?s last round is on my strapping young nephew Karl Antonius who is celebrating his 16th birthday today. Just like his proud dad Ramsey, Karl shoots a mean jumpshot with the grace of a gazelle and the accuracy of a cold-blooded mercenary. Keep your feet on the ground, but reach for the stars. Cheers!
