TOP RANK’S THIRD OLN SHOW TONIGHT
Las Vegas, NV-When you watch a fighter develop from his or her amateur days, a professional baptismal, and then rise to the level of World champion, you usually notice a distinct change in their personalities. The exception to the rule is WBC 108 lb. champion, Brian Viloria, who defends the second smallest green belt tonight on the Outdoor Life Network against Omar Nino Romero. While I can write how rugged Romero is, it’s been said plenty of times already. Any Mexican fighting, especially for the WBC title, an organization based in Mexico, will give his all.
WBC LIGHT FLY CHAMP THE REAL SUPERFLY?
Needless to say, this is Viloria’s time. At 19 & zip with 12 early wins, this is clearly his fight to win or lose. Just 25 years old, Brian captured the WBC belt with a first round, one-punch knockout of Mexico’s Eric Ortiz eleven months ago. The electrifying shot came at the end of the round, leaving a Staples Center crowd just a little less stunned than Ortiz himself. With Manny Pacquiao-Hector Velasquez and Zahir Raheem’s upset on points of Erik Morales still to come, Brian’s “goodnight Irene” shot proved to be a tough act to follow.
MEXICAN WILL HOPE TO AVOID “HAT-TRICK”
A title defense in February against Jose Antonio Aguirre in Las Vegas went the full 36-minutes of battle with “Super V” prevailing unanimously, 117-111, & 116-112 twice on the cards. Romero, hailing from Guadalajara, is 23-2-1, with 10 shorts. What jumps out at you is that both losses to Gilberto Baas and Edgar Sosa, were by knockout! That being said, I anticipate the Philippine-American Viloria, who was born and lives in Hawaii, to make it a “hat trick” for Romero, meaning he gets drilled for the third time!
UNDERCARD HAS GUYS IN “WORK” FIGHTS
Having been hammered inside of six last time out by Aussie Vic Darchinyan, Filipino Diosdado Gabi, looks to get his “mojo” back with a “work” fight vs. Jose German Cruz. Now 26-3-1, (18 KOs) Gabi should easily handle the undocumented, record-wise, Cruz. Also appearing in what appears to be a “work” fight, albeit a tough one, Jose Luis Zertuche, 18-2-2, with 13 abbreviations. A Mexican middleweight, Zertuche last fought in January and bested “gatekeeper” Marcos Primera, who recently KO’d unbeaten and highly touted Curtis Stevens. Zertuche figures to bust up Carlos Bojorquez’s facial features in a fight that could go the full ten rounds. Bojorquez, who hit a high note in halting a come backing Pernell Whitaker in April 2001, is 26-8-6, with 22 whacks! Although a rough hombre, Carlos is 4-4 in his last eight, having been KO’d thrice.
OUTDOOR LIFE (VERSUS) FIRST BELL AT 9 PM ET
The Outdoor Life Network, soon to be renamed Versus, will come with it’s third live presentation beginning tonight at 9 PM ET or 6 PM in California, a Top Rank promotion emanating from the unique Orleans Hotel & Casino in Las Vegas.
SCHEDULE, ODDS & MY PREDICTIONS ARE FRESH
If you’re looking for the August boxing “schedule, odds, & predictions,” click on the Mexican will hope to avoid the “hat-trick.” A title defense in February against Jose Antonio Aguirre in Las Vegas went the full 36-minutes of battle with “Super V” prevailing unanimously, 117-111, & 116-112 twice on the cards. Romero, hailing from Guadalajara, is 23-2-1, with 10 shorts. What jumps out at you is that both losses to Gilberto Baas and Edgar Sosa, were by knockout! That being said, I anticipate the Philippine-American Viloria, who was born and lives in Hawaii, to make it a “hat trick” for Romero, meaning he gets drilled for the third time!
UNDERCARD HAS GUYS IN “WORK” FIGHTS
Having been hammered inside of six last time out by Aussie Vic Darchinyan, Filipino Diosdado Gabi, looks to get his “mojo” back with a “work” fight vs. Jose German Cruz. Now 26-3-1, (18 KOs) Gabi should easily handle the undocumented, record-wise, Cruz. Also appearing in what appears to be a “work” fight, albeit a tough one, Jose Luis Zertuche, 18-2-2, with 13 abbreviations. A Mexican middleweight, Zertuche last fought in January and bested “gatekeeper” Marcos Primera, who recently KO’d unbeaten and highly touted Curtis Stevens. Zertuche figures to bust up Carlos Bojorquez’s facial features in a fight that could go the full ten rounds. Bojorquez, who hit a high note in halting a come backing Pernell Whitaker in April 2001, is 26-8-6, with 22 whacks! Although a rough hombre, Carlos is 4-4 in his last eight, having been KO’d thrice.
OUTDOOR LIFE (VERSUS) FIRST BELL AT 9 PM ET
The Outdoor Life Network, soon to be renamed Versus, will come with it’s third live presentation beginning tonight at 9 PM ET or 6 PM in California, a Top Rank promotion emanating from the unique Orleans Hotel & Casino in Las Vegas.
SCHEDULE, ODDS & MY PREDICTIONS ARE FRESH
If you’re looking for the August boxing schedule, odds, & predictions, click on the “Schedule” box at the top of this page.
Pedro Fernandez
Note: Mr. Fernandez is an award-winning writer, talk show host, TV commentator, former San Francisco Policeman, and four-time Golden Gloves champion. Comments regarding the above can be left below.
