SAN ANTONIO – Brian Viloria ran out of steam in the late going and his manager Gary Gittlesohn said yesterday the draining effort to make the 108-pound limit contributed to a poor finish that led to Edgar Sosa stealing the vacant WBC lightflyweight title via a majority 12-round decision at the Alamodome here Saturday night.
Gittelsohn’s analysis jibed with the scoring of the three judges who awarded the last four rounds to Sosa.
After nine rounds, Viloria was ahead in all the scorecards, 87-84, 86-85 and 86-85. But Sosa’s finishing kick proved decisive. In the end, judges Max de Luca and Jesse Reyes saw it, 115-113, both for Sosa and Burt Clemens, 114-114.
Statistics showed Sosa had a higher workrate, connecting on 233 of 800 punches (29 percent) to Viloria’s 155 of 233 (26 percent). Sosa had the edge in landed jabs, 71-48, and power shots, 162-107.
“Brian is obviously disappointed at the outcome——we all are,” said Gittelsohn. “I thought Brian did a heckuva job two-thirds of the way and the judges apparently thought so, too. But he’s not superman, he’s an athlete who has good days and bad days. Those last four rounds did it.”
Gittelsohn confirmed Viloria’s pre-fight announcement that win or lose, it would be his last fight in the lightflyweight division.
“Doctors noticed Brian was dehydrated at the weigh-in,” said Gittelsohn. “But they cleared him to fight anyway because he was in excellent condition. His pulse and blood pressure were fine. In the fight, the weight loss took a toll on Brian who just couldn’t put it together in the championship rounds.”
Despite Viloria’s loss, Gittelsohn said he was satisfied with the Hawaiian Punch’s performance.
“Brian showed the heart of a champion,” said Gittelsohn. “He never backed off. It was an entertaining give-and-take brawl and when Sosa attacked, Brian always fired back. I’m proud of what he did. Sosa is a bad little mother who was extremely motivated to win. He was tough. Give him credit for what he did.”
Gittelsohn took exception to questions from some reporters who wondered if it was time for Viloria to retire.
“Remember that Brian started out as a flyweight and when (WBC champion) Pongsaklek (Wonjongkam) wouldn’t fight him, he had to go down to lightflyweight for a chance to go for the title,” said Gittelsohn. “Now, it’s become very difficult for Brian to stay at 108. He’s 26 and growing. Four pounds make a big difference in the lighter weights. Brian will be back at 112.”
Gittelsohn said nobody pushed Manny Pacquiao to quit after he was knocked out by Rustico Torrecampo and Medgeon 3-K Battery so why should anyone prod Viloria to retire.
Gittelsohn said Viloria was robbed of a win over Omar Nino Romero in their rematch last November. He dropped Romero twice but the Mexican retained the WBC crown on a majority draw. Most ringsiders felt Viloria did enough to earn the decision.
“Brian lacked the stamina to finish strong in his last two fights,” said Gittelsohn. “We’ll address that problem when he moves up to flyweight. Brian has unfinished business. We’ve seen a bit of the Brian of old in his last two fights. He won’t let his fans down. Even if he starts all over again, Brian will be back.”
Gittelsohn said Viloria, who is articulate and intelligent, has options other than boxing in his life but he’s determined to continue fighting because he’s angry he couldn’t beat Sosa for the title.
