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Philippines, 12 May 2024 |
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LETTER TO THE EDITOR: IS VILORIA STILL AN AMERICAN? PhilBoxing.com Mon, 12 Jul 2010 IS VILORIA STILL AN AMERICAN? Ken Smith, American Boxing Academy. Unbelievable to see the unpatriotic disrespect of former United States Olympic boxing team member Brian Viloria who entered the ring last night [Saturday night - Ed] in Pasig city Philippines for his fight against Mexican Omar Soto without the American flag or the playing of the USA national anthem. Viloria a former US boxing team member who after winning multiple US national amateur titles, was given a College scholarship thru the USA boxing program and then went on to represent "his country" in the 2000 Sydney Olympics was born in Hawaii to parents that had years earlier immigrated to the US from Ilocos in the Philippines. Viloria now a 2 time professional ex-world champion who had never even fought in the Philippines before last year 2009 has according to writer Ray Daneso said "The 24yr old son of Ben and Marie, who hails from the town of Narvacan in Ilocos, Philippines but stays in Hawaii for a living, publicly claimed he is a 100% Filipino in one of the press conferences to promote the double trouble fight card promoted by Top Rank Inc" Danesco went on to say 'Viloria was true to his word when he had the Philippine flag on his trunks instead of the flag of the United States during his short route at taking the coveted 108lb title(this was actually not true as Viloria had the US flag on his trunks slightly larger and above the Filipino flag for that fight as well as the fight last night as is flag protocal] he then wrapped the RP flag to his body and waved it to the crowd" Then Danesco states "Viloria also admitted that he would have fought for the Philippines instead of the United States in the Sydney Olympics had the invitation from the Amateur boxing association of Philippines come way ahead of the USA trials". Possibly the ABAP went shopping for Viloria after they heard he had won the Olympic trials in order to get that elusive Olympic gold medal they are chasing. Even respected boxing scribe Ronnie Nathanielz got it wrong when he said" Vilorias fiance who like Brian is from the Ilocos region which they will visit before returning to the US" Well, this writers family came from England 150yrs ago, doesnt make me British or from England. General Benedict Arnold proved over 200 yrs ago you cant be British and American at the same time, that is simply a traitor.When I talked to Vilorias new American trainer Frankie Liles (at least for this fight) after the fight about the "missing US flag" Liles said "Ken they didnt supply us with one". Well I am in the Philippines today and I can tell you there are American flags all over this place, even the locals are proud to wear it on their T-shirts. Appearently Viloria is not any longer proud of the country that gave him everything including his birth! FOOTNOTE : The Viloria vs Soto fight was a lackluster affair between two fighters who are no longer serious challengers to world titles. Possibly this is the reason that Viloria is now fighting in a place like Pasig City instead of LasVegas Nevada? The fight saw Viloria win the first couple rounds, with the middle rounds about even and Soto clearly winning the late rounds as Viloria tired and resorted to running and holding. The rounds that Viloria won were close rounds and could have been scored for either fighter. The rounds that Soto won were clear and decisive rounds in his favor... I scored the fight a un-impressive draw.  |
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