With new trainer Joe Goosen in his corner, Brian Viloria is confident of beating Mexican Edgar Sosa in their 12-round bout for the vacant WBC lightflyweight title at the Alamodome in San Antonio, Texas, on April 14.
Viloria, 26, is out to regain the crown he wrested from Eric Ortiz and lost to Omar Ni?o Romero in his second defense on points last year. In a rematch, Viloria decked Romero twice but managed only a draw last November. Romero was later stripped of the title after testing positive for methamphetamine.
Freddie Roach used to train Viloria but for the Romero rematch, a team of Californians headed by Ruben Gomez worked his corner.
A week ago, Viloria’s manager Gary Gittelsohn came to terms with Goosen who has trained former champions Diego Corrales and Michael Nunn in his Van Nuys, California, gym.
“I made an arrangement with Joe to work with Brian,” Gittelsohn told The Star in an e-mail from Los Angeles the other day. “All parties involved are very excited and I believe the new training environment will be a positive development for Brian.”
Sosa, who has won his last 14 fights, is a tough challenge for Viloria. “He’s very skilled, rangy and jabs very well,” said Gittelsohn. “Sosa is good, very good. We have reviewed tape of Sosa and Joe has already begun discussing a game plan with Brian. Joe’s non-nonsense style is likely to push all the right motivational buttons in Brian.”
Gittelsohn said Goosen’s full-time attention on Viloria is the best thing that could happen to the Hawaiian Punch who traces his roots to Narvacan, Ilocos Sur.
“Brian and I are delighted about the new training situation,” continued Gittelsohn. “Brian is getting a lot of personal attention. I don’t think there’s anybody better in the business of motivating a fighter than Joe.”
Sosa, 27, has a 26-5 record, with 14 KOs. Three of his losses were by majority or split decision and two were inflicted by Ulises Solis whose brother Jorge faces Manny Pacquiao in the main event of the Alamodome card. Another defeat was by Romero, the only fighter who has beaten Viloria.
In his last three fights which all went the distance, Viloria wasn’t the same explosive fighter who dethroned Ortiz via a first round knockout. Goosen promised to bring back the vintage Viloria.
“Brian is in agreement with what is necessary and it seems to have lit a fire under him,” said Goosen, quoted by Jerry Campany in the Honolulu Star-Bulletin. “I have very few fighters I take on – when I do, I expect them to commit to me one-on-one and Brian has done that. He always gets to the gym early and ready to work. He made a commitment to himself. He is going back to what made him so exciting and successful.”
Campany noted that after winning the WBC title, Viloria got lost in Roach’s packed Wild Card Gym in Los Angeles .
“He is getting the direct attention that I have known that he needed for some time,” said Gittelsohn. “And Joe simply can’t be ignored in the corner. He demands a fighter’s attention. It is just a better fit for Brian right now.”
