LAS VEGAS — World Boxing Council (WBC) lightflyweight champion Brian Viloria took out a long-stemmed straw out of his glass of water and twisted it to make a figure four at the Aladdin Hotel coffee shop Friday afternoon shortly after scaling 107 pounds at the weigh-in in the Theater of the Performing Arts here.
“That’s how long the fight will last,” said Viloria pointing to the twisted straw.
It was his prediction of the outcome of his first title defense against Mexican challenger Jose Antonio Aguirre this morning (Manila).
Four rounds–no more, no less.
Despite the bold forecast, Viloria said he’s not taking Aguirre lightly. Neither is his trainer Freddie Roach who described the Mexican as a tough guy who doesn’t back down.
“I’m not looking past Aguirre,” said Viloria. “I know there’s a lot of talk about me fighting (Jorge) Arce down the road but I’m not even thinking of that. All I know is I’ve got to take care of Aguirre first. That’s the priority.”
Viloria, 25, said he’s never felt better in his career. Although a natural flyweight, he didn’t diet to move down to the lightflyweight division. He weighed in a pound less than the 108 limit. Aguirre checked in at 107 1/2.
“I sparred with at least 20 different fighters, some of whom weighed 10 pounds more, in two months of preparing for Aguirre,” said Viloria. “I can go 100 rounds against Aguirre if I have to. I’m in great shape, much better than I was when I fought (Eric) Ortiz. That’s the scary thing. I took out Ortiz in one round and I wasn’t even as fit as I am now.”
Viloria said his father Benjamin made sure he ate the right food throughout his training period.
“I’m even stronger now at 108,’ said Viloria. ‘I ate a lot of carbos, vegetables and tofu. The morning of the weigh-in, I had some oatmeal, grapes and juice. I woke up at 8 a.m. and did some walking around the strip with my dad. Then at around 11 a.m., I did a mock weigh-in and wearing all my clothes, I hit 108.”
Viloria stepped up to the scales at 3:30 p.m. after Aguirre took his turn. Nevada State Athletic Commission executive director Marc Ratner supervised the weigh-in. A crowd of about 100 watched the proceedings presided by Top Rank promoter Bob Arum.
Viloria beamed and raised both arms as his weight was announced. Manager Gary Gittelsohn, Roach and cutman Ruben Gomez accompanied him up the podium.
Viloria said he expects to weigh at least 114 when the first bell rings.
“I’m very excited,” said the Hawaii-born fighter who traces his roots to Narvacan, Ilocos Sur. “I wasn’t this excited for the Ortiz fight. Maybe, it’s because it’s my first title defense. I’m not nervous. I guess I’ll feel the butterflies in my stomach an hour or two before the fight which is natural.”
Viloria said Aguirre never looked at him in the eye during the weigh-in. They posed side by side on the podium for press photographers but their eyes never met.
“I think he’s scared,” said Viloria. “I was looking at him but he was avoiding my eyes.”
One thing that Viloria noticed about Aguirre was his firm and taut body. “He looks very fit,’ he said. “He’s ready to fight.”
Viloria said he hasn’t talked strategy with Roach.
“Freddie and I understand each other,’ said Viloria. ‘I know what he wants me to do and I know what I must do to win. In the first round, I’ll size him up for 10 seconds just to see what he’s got in mind. I’ll study what he wants to do–box or slug. I’m prepared for whatever he does. He’s slow so if he tries to box and run, he won’t be able to get away. I’ve got too much speed and too much power for him. This fight will last as far I want it to.”
Gittelsohn said both Viloria and Aguirre will use Mexican-made Cleto Reyes gloves.
“They prefer to use punchers’ gloves because they’re going to war,” said Gittelsohn.
Under unified championship rules, there will be no standing eight-count, no three knockdown rule and no fighter can be saved by the bell in any round in the bout. A technical decision will be ruled if a fighter is not able to continue due to a cut inflicted by an accidental headbutt after four completed rounds and a technical draw if less.
The referee is Tony Weeks of Nevada. The judges are Ray Hawkins, C. J. Ross and Glenn Trowbridge.
In other fights on the card, World Boxing Organization (WBO) welterweight champion Antonio Margarito of Mexico takes on challenger Manuel Gomez of Texas in a 12-rounder, WBO minimumweight titlist Ivan Calderon of Puerto Rico faces challenger Isaac Bustos of Mexico in a 12-rounder and Julio Cesar Chavez, Jr. of Mexico meets Carlos Molina of Mexico in a six-round superlightweight tiff.
The live satellite coverage will start at 9:30 a.m. in SM cinemas at the Megamall, North EDSA, Fairview, Centerpoint, Manila, San Lazaro, Southmall, Pampanga, Baguio, Cebu, Davao, Iloilo and Molino (Cavite), in Robinson’s at the Galeria, Metro East and Ermita, in Glorietta 1, Sta. Lucia East and Ali Mall.
RPN-9 and the Solar Sports channel will air the fights starting at 10 a.m.
