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Brian Viloria Wants Calderon but Nino Trilogy is First By Ryan Songalia PhilBoxing.com Wed, 23 Sep 2009  It's been more than 16 years since Michael Carbajal and Humberto "Chiquita" Gonzalez thrilled the boxing world in the greatest fight to ever take place in the 108 pound division. That fight, which saw the IBF and WBC light flyweight belts come together, put the little men on the map in the United States. Today, the preeminent 108 pounders are Brian Viloria, the IBF titlist with a 26-2 (15 KO) record, and Ivan Calderon, the WBO claimant unbeaten at 33-0 (6 KO). The story-lines are there; Two or three international amateur meetings, a high level of media attention in their native markets and a "word of mouth" buzz calling for this summit meeting. These two seem destined to clash eventually... "I'm real interested in having a fight with him," says Viloria of Waipahu, HI. "Hopefully down the line we'll meet." Whether or not they meet is one thing; Whether or not we want to see it is another. "It's really not a fan-friendly type of fight. I don't think stylistically it will be interesting because he runs and tries to hold whenever you engage him. That's his style and you have to deal with it." Calderon's paltry 17% knockout percentage is far from imposing but his 100% winning percentage is. The Guaynabo, Puerto Rico native made 12 defenses of his minimumweight crown before stepping up against the much larger Hugo Cazares in 2007 to win a portion of the 108 pound title. The only blemish on his record thus far is a draw in his headbutt-shortened first fight with Filipino contender Rodel Mayol two fights ago which was avenged in his last bout in another headbutt contest. While Calderon's slick boxing ability put distance between his cruder opponent a little over a week ago, Viloria has seen signs of vulnerability in the 34-year-old. "I think Calderon has gotten slower by age. The last three fights getting cut and winning on technical decisions, I dunno. I think it's a good time for me to fight him. That's what everyone has been saying." Viloria, who lost two decisions and had a no-contest in three bouts from 2006-2007, has rejuvenated his once stagnating career with seven straight victories under head trainer Roberto Garcia. The apex of that streak was his 11th round knockout of Ulises Solis to begin his second reign as champion in the division. That performance is expected to contend for "Knockout of the Year" honors. The key to beating Calderon - who has only tasted canvas once in his career - is pressure, pressure, pressure, says Viloria. The only problem is that Viloria is more of a laid-back stalker ala David Tua, only instead of the hook it is his right hand that pays the bills. "For him I'd have to be [more aggressive]. When I was watching Mayol, he had the right idea but not the right boxing skills. I need to be patient but for his style, I think pressuring him would probably do the job. I'd also have to not get tied up, work behind combinations and go to the head and body. The first two punches probably won't land but you'll hit him with the third and fourth. "He's really elusive but I'm pretty quick myself." Whether or not a unification match happens usually depends on the financial impact the matchup will have. Viloria's manager Gary Gittelsohn feels that the bout can happen "if it makes sense for both guys." Both Calderon and Viloria are promoted by Top Rank, headed by Bob Arum. "I think it's likely to happen. Calderon sees Brian as his biggest meal ticket. If it also presents a good economic opportunity for Brian, so be it. I think it's a fight that we certainly wouldn't shy away from if the money was right. "The problem with Calderon is that he's never been in a fight that anyone's called exciting. Brian's last couple fights have been terrific after falling into an ugly, counterpunching style years earlier. I want to make sure Brian is in fights that make people want to see him again. Calderon doesn't fit that bill. If the price is right, we'll make the fight." While Calderon heals and recovers from his third consecutive major cut, Viloria will first have an opportunity for redemption. According to Gittelsohn, the IBF has ordered the Viloria team to begin negotiations with top available contender Omar Nino Romero, the man that handed Viloria his first defeat in 2006. Romero tested positive for amphetamines in the post-fight drug test after their rematch three months later, voiding a draw into a no contest. Romero lost his next fight to Juanito Rubillar but has rebounded with three straight wins, including a WBC elimination bout that avenged the Rubillar loss. "We're looking at a fight in December. There is a 30 day period for free negotiations, we're about two weeks into that process. If we can't come to terms then it goes to a purse bid. Nino would be entitled to 15% of the purse bid which would leave him essentially with no money so it's in his best interest to come to a reasonable agreement with the champion. "From what I understand though we're close to a deal." Mike Criscio, Romero's American manager, says he hasn't been in contact with Romero for "a couple of months" and is unaware of the recent developments regarding a possible third fight. He says bad influences around Romero in his native Mexico have strained their relationship. "We had a little breakdown," says Criscio, who also represents Chad Dawson and Alfredo Angulo. "There are bad people that aren't directing him in the right directions. They're not telling him the right things. These other people think they're gangsters. They're telling him basically that Americans are bad to represent him and that he should stick with Mexicans. They're just taking money from the poor kid." Criscio says that he has been angling for a third fight with Viloria for a year now. "They weren't interested at the time. I've been talking to people with Arum for maybe a year now. I think his people are afraid of doing a rematch, to be honest. Omar beat him pretty good in the first fight. I think they're afraid the guy could lose to him again." Gittelsohn says he has not been in contact with Criscio but has been negotiating through Romero's promoter. Still, Viloria remains upbeat about putting an old grudge to rest. "It's almost like having a monkey on my back. I feel like I need to get this off my conscience. "I think I'm a lot better fighter than I was a couple of years ago. I've had a chance to clear up. I'm able to beat him, I just need to make it official. My motivation is 100 times more than it was before. I just want to keep improving my skills and ability to take on challenges." -RS Ryan Songalia is a member of the Boxing Writers Association of America. He can be reached at songaliaboxing@aol.com. Click here to view a list of other articles written by Ryan Songalia.  |
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