Filipino American boxer Brian “Hawaiian Punch” Viloria won against Mexican challenger Jose Antonio “El Jaguar” Aguirre to retain the World Boxing Council light flyweight belt Saturday (Sunday in Manila) at the Aladdin Hotel and Casino in Las Vegas, Nevada, DZMM reported.
At the start of the 12-round fight, Viloria came out swinging punches at Aguirre which sent the Mexican staggering. The attempt, however, failed despite Viloria’s perseverance to match his first-round beating of Eric Ortiz last year in Los Angeles.
Viloria punched himself out as Aguirre fought back in the second half of the first round.
The Hawaiian Punch came out charging in the second and third rounds though Aguirre seemed to be dominating as he forced Viloria deep into the ropes.
The Fil-Am regained composure as Aguirre began to tire. Viloria found a new wind and took command of the remaining rounds of the fight which saw Aguirre having a severe cut in the forehead.
In the end, referee Tony Weeks declared Viloria the winner after ringside judges C.J. Ross ad Ray Hawkins scored the fight in Viloria’s favor at 116-112 while Glenn Trowbridge had it also for the Fil-Am at 117-111.
With the win Saturday, the 25-year old Viloria improved his record to 19-0 with 12 by way of knockout. Aguirre, meanwhile, fell to 33-5-1 with 20 KOs).
The Viloria-Aguirre match stole the limelight as it pitted the pride of the Philippines and Mexico. The bout also came at the heels of Filipino boxing icon Manny Pacquiao’s masterful shaming of Mexican hombre Erik Morales last January 21, also in Las Vegas.
Incidentally, Pacquiao and Morales will have face each other for the third time in September this year.
