Viloria-Nino III postponed to April 21

MANILA, Philippines – WBO flyweight titleholder Brian Viloria’s bout against old nemesis Omar Nino Romero that was originally scheduled for March 31 has been pushed back to April 21 after issues arose with the WBO’s sanctioning of the fight, according to Viloria’s manager Gary Gittelsohn.

The WBO issued a release on Thursday stating that the bout was “pending sanction” due to a $11,250 disciplinary fine Nino owes the Nevada State Athletic Commission (NSAC) for his 2006 positive test for methamphetamine following his second bout with Viloria. Nino was subsequently stripped of the WBC light flyweight title he had won from Viloria three months prior.

“We decided to give Niño time to clean up his mess,” Gittelsohn told THE RING. “Once Nevada acknowledges receipt of the long overdue payment, the WBO will sanction the fight.”

Nino has not fought in America since then but challenged for the WBC light flyweight title again in 2010, defeating incumbent titleholder Rodel Mayol in their second meeting to regain the belt.

Nino was rated no. 8 by the WBO’s most recent rankings at flyweight.

The bout will still take place at the Ynares Sports Arena in Pasig City, Philippines. Rumors of the postponement were originally reported by Dennis Guillermo, which were later confirmed.