Viloria always feels at home in Philippines
Three-time world champion Brian “Hawaiian Punch” Viloria always feels at home fighting in the Philippines. He’s looking forward to avenging his first pro loss and completing the Omar Nino Romero trilogy there March 31, headlining the “Island Assault 4: The Battle” pay-per-view-event, live from Ynares Sports Arena in Pasig City, Metro Manila, Philippines.
“Fighting in the Philippines is like a double-edged sword for me,” said Viloria, a dual citizen of the United States and Philippines. “It can hurt if I try to do too much performing well in front of family, friends and fans. It helps, though, when I need energy and get it from the crowd chanting my name to urge you on. I get that extra push from the crowd. It’s different for every fighter but I love fighting there at home.
“I love the way they treat me. They love their fighters, like Manny (Pacquiao), and have a lot of good fighters there now, like in Mexico. I’ve been greatly received; they’ve accepted me with open arms. I’m Filipino-American but was raised by my grandparents in the Philippines my first six years. I spoke a Filipino dialect before I spoke English. It’s awesome going back there to fight.”
Viloria (30-3, 16 KOs) will defend his World Boxing Organization (“WBO”) Flyweight title Mar. 31 against two-time world champion Romero (30-42, 12 KOs) to complete their trilogy. Viloria’s perfect 20-0 record was spoiled by Romero, who took Brian’s as well as World Boxing Council (“WBC”) light flyweight belt in 2006, by way of a 12-round unanimous decision. Three months later, their rematch ended in a draw and was later changed to a “no contest” when Romero failed the post-fight drug test.
Presently rated No. 2 by The Ring Magazine, Viloria was a 2000 U.S. Olympian who lives in Hawaii. “Having this fight on pay per view is a big deal,” Brian explained, “because a lot of my family and friends in Hawaii can’t make it to the Philippines every time I fight there. It’s a long trip and expensive.
“My weight division doesn’t get a lot of television exposure so this helps. I came out of the Olympics and fought on ESPN, which helped get my name out there. I’m excited that people in the US, especially those in Hawaii, can tune in to watch me fight. I’m thankful for that and will put out my best.”
“Island Assault 4:The Battle,” presented by Solar Sports, is being distributed in the United States by Integrated Sports Media for live viewing at 9:00 PM/ET – 6:00 PM/PT on both cable and satellite pay-per-view via iN Demand, DIRECTV, DISH Network and Avail-TVN for a suggested retail price of only $29.95. “Island Assault 4: The Battle” will also be available via on-line PPV on Ustream.tv at http://www.ustream.tv/integratedsportsppv.
