Brian Villoria finally solved the puzzle that is Omar Romero, scoring a 9th round technical knockout win over the Mexican challenger to retain his World Boxing Organization flyweight crown at the Ynares Gym in Metro Manila .
The win erased his two previous disappointing encounters with the gritty Mexican where he lost by a unanimous decision and a held to a draw that was later declared a no contest after Romero was tested positive for illegal drug substance in their fight second fight.
Villoria started slowly but quickly picked up paced by staggering the challenger in the third round with a well-timed left hook and again in the fifth round.
Romero was also deducted a point for a low blow in the fourth round.
The Filipino-American champion, who hails from Hawaii, was never in danger and was in control of the fight starting the third round with his accurate jabs and crisp combinations against the suddenly tentative Romero.
He opened up a cut above the right eye of Romero in the fourth round.
In the fateful ninth round, Villoria sent Romero reeling to the ring near the corner of the Mexican. A flurry of follow-ups buckled the knees of the challenger before his corner climbed the ring to stop the fight.
But by then the referee had already waived the fight despite protests from Romero.
In the main supporting bout, former world light flyweight champion Rodel Mayol scored a lopsided win over another former world title holder Julio Cesar Miranda to keep his second world title bid alive.
Campaigning in the flyweight division where he said he is more at home, Mayol repeatedly rocked the rugged Mexican, sending him to the canvass thrice in the fight but failed to put him away.
Mayol totally dominated Miranda who counts stoppage victories over Filipino opponents Richie Mepranum and Ardin Diale. The scores were 100-90, 99-90 and 97-91.
It was the third successful defense for Villoria who won his second world title in as many weight classes from Miranda who saw action in the undercard.
Villoria improved his professional record to 31 wins (18 knockouts), 3 losses and one no contest.
