WBO Latino Flyweight Championship: McWILLIAMS ARROYO VS. CARLOS BUITRAGO IN CAGUAS

On Saturday, June 15, both gladiators will seek to approach another long-awaited world title opportunity when they battle for the World Boxing Organization Latino Belt during the stellar fight of the event named ‘Noche de Campeones DIRECTV’ at the Roger Mendoza Coliseum in the city of Caguas in a presentation of Miguel Cotto Promotions and H2 Entertainment.

“I’m preparing very well for this fight. It’s a good fighter and I know what it means. I have plans to be a champion again and this is a test that I have to go through, “said McWilliams Arroyo (18-4, 14 KOs), who made his debut under the Miguel Cotto Promotions banner with a victory over the Aztec Carlos Maldonado last February in Ponce.

“We have worked hard, sparring with different people, including Carlos Arrieta, as well as other local boxers. We’re going to be ready for this fight. ”

For his part, Buitrago (31-4 with 17 KO’s) has been a fairly consistent fighter, with good assimilation skills and his only defeats have been in world championship matches, including his most recent against the Puerto Rican knockout artist and WBO Jr. Flyweight World Champion Angel ‘Tito’ Acosta, who lasted 11 rounds before seeing the fight stopped in the twelfth episode during his brawl in the summer of 2018.

“He is a fighter of care, who endures and has a lot of experience. You have to come ready for everything with him, be it boxing or exchanging blows. It’s going to be a tough fight, “added Arroyo.

via Cotto Promotions

WBO champ Kimura to defend against Igarashi

By Joe Koizumi
Photos by Sumio Yamada

The third man means a referee in boxing terminology, but WBO flyweight champ Sho Kimura was the third champ whose participation in the New Year’s Eve tripleheader was announced last—separately on Tuesday. Kimura (15-1-2, 8 KOs) scored an upset to wrest the WBO belt from two-time Olympic gold medalist Shiming Zou in Shanghai this July, and will make his initial defense against top contender Toshiyuki Igarashi (23-2-3, 12 KOs), former WBC 112-pound titlist and also ex-Olympian, along with the title defenses of Ryoichi Taguchi and Hiroto Kyoguchi.

Zou claimed a direct rematch with Kimura to the WBO, but his request was turned down and Kimura decided to face the compatriot Igarashi, four years his senior at 33. It will be a competitive encounter of the aggressive champ and the skillful southpaw speedster. Since both are durable and determined, the combat will probably go the distance, which may be good for the TBS television that may prefer a longer drawing of TV audience’s attention.

Milan “Metodico” Melindo made it a very short night for Jesus Geles of Colombia. Hooks to the ribs sent Geles down three times in round one. Referee Danrex Tapdasan stopped the carnage at 2:21. Melindo remains unbeaten in 27 fights and won the WBO International flyweight belt. He also scored an impressive win against a former interim world champion.

By Rene Bonsubre, Jr.

http://philboxing.com/news/story-70870.html

13MAY12 S Brian Viloria vs Omar Nino Romero

CLICK ON THE LINK ABOVE TO VIEW THE ORIGINAL DOCUMENT!!!

The “Island Assault 4: The Battle” pay-per-view-event, featuring a trilogy showdown between three-time world champion Brian “Hawaiian Punch” Viloria (30-3, 16 KOs) and former two-time world champion Omar Nino Romero (30-42, 12 KOs), has been rescheduled from its original March 31 date to Saturday night, May 12, live from Ynares Sports Arena in Pasig City, Metro Manila, Philippines.

Viloria will defend his World Boxing Organization (“WBO”) title belt against Romero in the 12-round main event. Viloria was a 2000 U.S. Olympian who won his first 20 pro fights, until he lost the World Boxing Council (“WBC”) light flyweight championship to Romero by way of a 12-round unanimous decision in 2006. 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.

The completion of the Viloria-Romero trilogy will have to wait a little longer as the Nevada State Athletic Commission prevented the WBO from sanctioning the fight due to unpaid penalties on Romero’s part. From 2006, Romero has amassed a total of $11,500 in penalties which he needs to pay before the fight is sanctioned.

The fight will now be held May 12 and will still be staged at the Ynares Sports Arena in Pasig.

http://www.boxingscene.com/?m=show&opt=printable&id=51311

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.

WBO flyweight beltholder Brian Viloria says it was the element of revenge that compelled him to select old rival Omar Nino Romero for his voluntary title defense on April 1 at the Yñares Sports Arena in Pasig City, Philippines.

“It’s something that I want to close the book on,” said Viloria (30-3, 17 knockouts), of Waipahu, Hawaii, who is making the second defense of the belt he won against Julio Cesar Miranda. “When they offered me the fight, I said, ‘I want to do it.’ I want to prove that the last fight was a fluke and I want to finish this business with him.”

Viloria, who is in his third title reign in two divisions, sustained his first career defeat against Nino in 2006 when he was outhustled by the Mexican who was making his first appearance outside of his home country. In a rematch three months later, Viloria was more aggressive, knocking down Nino twice but managed just a draw on the official scorecards.

The verdict was later changed to a no contest when Nino tested positive for methamphetamines, tainting the bout and inspiring Viloria’s ire.

“When we found out he tested positive, it angered me,” admitted Viloria. “Just the fact that he didn’t come in on an even playing field or act like a professional. It was as if he thought he could cheat his way to get the win.

“I think I’m a more refined fighter now than I was then. I’m much more serious in my craft with the way I’m training.”

While it has been several years since Viloria has shared a ring with Nino, he says he remembers Nino being “deceptively awkward” and “quick.”

“I beat myself in that fight,” said Viloria, who said he didn’t take the sport as seriously at the time as he does now. “I thought I was a better boxer, I just didn’t show it in that fight. I came in that fight a little lethargic and didn’t do what I needed to win the fight. I just need to go in there and be Brian Viloria.”

Nino (31-4-2, 13 KOs), of Guadalajara, Mexico, floundered for a while after the Viloria contests, but went on to win another world title in 2010 with a controversial decision victory over then-WBC light flyweight titleholder Rodel Mayol. Nino made one successful defense but dropped the belt in his second defense to Gilberto Keb Baas. Nino was inactive for more than a year afterwards before defeating journeyman Javier Romano last month.

Viloria says the Nino fight, which will be his fifth appearance in his birth country in his last six bouts, will serve as a tune-up for a unification bout with WBA 112-pound titleholder Hernan “Tyson” Marquez, who faces Rodel Mayol on March 24. However, Viloria assured that he won’t be looking past the challenge in front of him.

“I don’t want to make any plans until after this fight,” said Viloria, a dual citizen of the Philippines and U.S. “I have to put everything into this fight and get myself past Nino, then look to see what goes on after the fight.

“I want to try to take this win as decisive as I can and keep it out of the judges’ hands. I did everything I need to in the gym, now I want to show what I’ve got.”

by Ryan Songalia

http://ringtv.craveonline.com/blog/171895-viloria-looks-to-qclose-chapterq-on-nino-rivalry

Saludar made his professional debut in late 2009 when he was 20 years old and scored an opening round TKO over fellow debutant Roland Gamolo. In fact Saludar’s first 3 contests ended in the opening round. Saludar’s run of KO’s would end with 3 straight decision wins including a 6 rounder against Ryan Illustrisimo. In his next fight Saludar’s record took it’s first black with a technical draw against Brian Diano after a clash of heads very early in the fight caused the early end.

Since the technical draw Saludar has really started to progress his career. He would win his first title, the WBO Asia Pacific Youth flyweight title 5 months after the Diano fight by defeating Remuel Obidos in just 146 seconds. The win over Obidos showed the impressive power of Saludar who left Obidos out cold in the centre of the ring face first.

Well known promoter Sammy Gelloani is confident that undefeated flyweight Froilan “The Sniper” Saludar can win a world title if given a chance.

Saludar is currently ranked No. 2 by the WBO behind ALA Promotions Milan Melindo with another Filipino Brian Viloria reigning as champion. Saludar is also ranked No. 8 by the IBF, No. 9 by the WBC and No. 15 by the WBA.

But before he aspires for a world title shot, Saludar will have to overcome the challenge of Mexico’s Alejandro “Terrible” Morales whom he battles at the Hoops Dome in Lapu Lapu City on Saturday in an exciting fight card that also features former WBO world super flyweight champion “Marvelous” Marvin Sonsona who is trying desperately to make a comeback and earn another world title shot.

The fighters as well as Gello-ani will be present at a press conference to be held at Masas restaurant in Greenbelt 2 in Makati at 12 noon on Wednesday, hosted by AKTV 13 which will telecast the fights on a slightly delayed basis from the Hoops Dome at 9:00 p.m. on Saturday.

The 23 year old Morales is considered a typical Mexican warrior who comes to fight and has an impressive record of 13-1 with 7 knockouts to back him up. His only loss was in a battle of then undefeated fighters when he was stunned by Julio Ceja (16-0, 14 KO’s) in a 1st round TKO loss in a WBC FECARBOX super flyweight title fight on September 3, 2011. However, Morales  quickly recovered from that setback with a unanimous eight round decision over Israel Rojas on October 7, 2011.

Reports on Morales received by the Standard state that he is impressive  against fighters who are not in the top of the rankings and that he had “stepped up a bit in his 2nd round knockout of Patricio Camacho” on April 29, 2011.

Gello-ani told BoxingScene.com/Manila Standard “I am very confident of Saludar if he is given an opportunity very early for the world title. He is very disciplined, has a matured mind and the ambition. Everything is with him.”

The promising Saludar has a record of 14-0-1 with 11 knockouts and is the current WBO Asia Pacific and WBO Youth flyweight champion. He is coming off a 1st round knockout of a veteran of 51 fights, Nelson Llanos last December 23. Saludar dropped Llanos twice in the opening round with devastating body shots before the referee waved the fight off..

Saludar won the WBO title with a 10th round TKO over a battling Gabriel Pumar in an action-packed title fight at the Island Cove in Cavite on August 6, 2011 which was also covered by AKTV IBC 13.

by Ronnie Nathanielsz

http://www.boxingscene.com/?m=show&opt=printable&id=50563

Coliseo Roberto Clemente, San Juan, Puerto Rico – WBO Latino lightweight champion Jose “Chelo” Gonzalez (19-0, 14KOs) stopped Hevinson Herrera (15-9-1, 10KOs) in the eight round.

After four very lackluster rounds, Gonzalez finally let his hands go in the fifth to hurt Herrera. Gonzalez continued to land in the sixth and put Herrera down in the final twenty seconds. After landing a few more in the seventh, Gonzalez finally finished him off in the eight with a barrage of punches to prompt the referee’s intervention.

McWilliams Arroyo (11-1, 9KOs) dominated veteran Luis Maldonado (36-8-1, 27KOs) over ten rounds in a bout for the interim-WBO Latino flyweight title. The scores were 98-92, 99-91 and 99-91.

Super featherweight Gamalier Rodriguez (18-2-3, 12 KOs) won an eight round unanimous decision over Allan Tanada (11-2-2, 5 KOs). The scores were 80-72 twice and 79-73

Super flyweight prospect McJoe Arroyo (10-0, 5 KOs) won a six round unanimous decision over Shawn Nichol (5-10, 5 KOs). The scores were 60-54, 60-54 and 59-55. The first bout for Arroyo in 2012.

Featherweight prospect Camilo Perez (7-0, 4 KOs) won a six round unanimous decision over Charlie Serrano (14-3-1, 4 KOs). The scores were 58-56 and 59-55 twice.

http://www.boxingscene.com/?m=show&opt=printable&id=50483

Integrated Sports Media, announced today that it will distribute “Island Assault 4: The Battle,” featuring the World Boxing Organization (“WBO”) Flyweight Championship between defending champion Brian “Hawaiian Punch” Viloria and challenger Omar Nino Romero, March 31 live from Ynares Sports Arena in Pasig City, Metro Manila, Philippines.

“US boxing fans loved watching ‘Island Assault 3’ last December, showcasing Viloria versus (Giovani) Segura, on top of an action-packed card from the Philippines,” Integrated Sports Media president Doug Jacobs said. “These are two of the top smaller-weight class boxers in the world who have five world titles between them. This show, of course, continues the heated Filipino vs. Mexican boxing rivalry that is one of the most intense in the sport today. An equally exciting undercard will soon be announced.”

Three-time and reigning world champion Viloria (29-3, 16 KOs), a dual citizen of the U.S. and Philippines, was a 2000 U.S. Olympian. Rated No. 2 by The Ring magazine, Viloria captured the IBF title in his present belt last in July, winning a 12-round decision from Julio Cesar Miranda (35-5-1), and successfully defended it against Segura (28-1-1). Brian is a former International Boxing Federation (“IBF”) and World Boxing Council (“WBC”) light flyweight champion.

Viloria’s other notable victories have been against Omar Soto (DEC10), Ulises Solis (KO11), Eric Ortiz (KO1), Jose Antonio Aguirre (DEC12) and Angel Antonio Priolo (KO7).

Romero, fighting out of Guadalajara (MX), is a two-time WBC light flyweight champion who has defeated Viloria in one of two previous meetings. In August of 2006, he easily won a 12-round decision (118-110, 117-111, 117-112) in Las Vegas. Three months later, in a rematch also held in Las Vegas, Romero and Viloria fought to a draw that was changed to a “no decision” when Romero failed a post-fight drug test.

Romero has also defeated Jorge Arce (TKO1), Rodel Mayol (DEC12), Ronald Barrera (RTD7), and Sammy Gutierrez (DEC10).

The remainder of the “Island Assault 4: The Battle” PPV event will soon be announced.

“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-TVNfor 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.

For more information about the “Island Assault 4: The Battle” PPV event go to www.integratedsportsnet.com. Follow Integrated Sports Media on Twitter @IntegratedPPV.

http://www.proboxing-fans.com/viloria-vs-romero-on-april-1-to-be-shown-on-integrated-sports-ppv_022912/

Everything is falling into place for WBO Intercontinental flyweight champion Milan “El Metodico” Melindo of the ALA Boxing stable. Last weekend, Melindo raised his record to a spotless 25-0 with his tenth knockout, this one over an unpredictable Juan Esquer. This lines Melindo up for a world title shot.

“The title fight will come, God will grant me that eventually,” Melindo said. “We will just follow the plan and have one or two more fights before we think about that.”

Melindo seems to have really found his identity as a boxer. He moved up in weight in 2010, and stuck to his technical, deliberate style with great success. He even changed his monicker from “Milenyo” to “El Metodico” or “Method Man” to fit. After all, he didn’t fight like a storm, and didn’t want to grab the name of a typhoon that devastated a great part of the country.

Meanwhile, though Esquer has had an up and down career the last few years, he did not come with a flimsy resume.In fact, “Panterita” or little panther has fought six opponents who would become world champions, beating future WBO minimumweight champion Kermin Guardia and drawing with eventual WBC light flyweight king Gilberto Keb Baas. He also said he didn’t care whose territory he was fighting in, he was there to knock Melindo out.

Even before the fight, you could see the contrast between the two. Melindo was reserved, just loosely moving about in his corner, while Esquer, clearly nervous, was bouncing around the ring as if he had just had a gallon of coffee. Fans did not expect a quick knockout because that was not Melindo’s style. But nobody expected the bizarre ending, either.

Melindo started off at his normal pace, bringing the fight to the Mexican, using his left jab to great effect, repeatedly forcing the Mexican back. The jittery challenger was throwing a messy variety of punches mostly off the mark. Some time in the second round, Esquer started complaining of low blows from Melindo, even ones that barely grazed his hip. Melindo was throwing an impressive mix of hooks and uppercuts with machine-like precision that clearly bothered his opponent.

A couple of round later, Melindo threw a body shot that went barely south of Esquer’s beltline. The punch was not even a real power shot. Ater a split second, Esquer decides to crumple to the canvas as if he had been castrated. He squirmed, grimaced, frowned, howled, squealed, and put on a really big show. Even his cornermen were laughing. Referee Danrex Tapdasan gave him time to recover, and sent Melindo to a neutral corner with a second warning.

Esquer pretended to stand thrice, then slumped back to the canvas squirming in faked pain. After more than three minutes, he got up, shaking his head as if still hurting, and the fight continued.

“He was trying to do something because I could feel he was getting tired,” Melindo told this writer in the vernacular after the fight. “It was a matter of time before I would beat him.”

The crowd at the Waterfront Hotel and Casino in Cebu was howling, booing, yelling invectives at the challenger. When the fight continued, Esquer tried to show that the champion’s blows weren’t bothering him. Then at close quarters in the seventh round, it was Esquer that threw a clear low blow. Melindo complained, but since the referee hadn’t stepped in, kept fighting. The Filipino hit Esquer in the chest, and Esquer went down, writhing in pain and claiming it was a low blow. His own chief second asked Tapdasan to stop the fight. Esquer quickly left the ring to a mix of boos and jeers.

“My focus was really to follow the plan, look foropenings,” admitted Melindo. “I tried not to mind his antics, but stay focused on doing my job.”

Melindo’s humility, focus and patience are also born of lessons learned, like the time his stablemate AJ Banal, then 19, stepped into the ring against Rafael Concepcion in 2008 for the interim WBA world super flyweight title. At the time Banal, now WBO Asia Pacific bantamweight king, had overtrained, and ran out of gas by the eighth round. He was knocked out in the tenth. It is still Banal’s only defeat to date.

Milan Melindo is biding his time. Whether it’s against WBO flyweight champion and countryman Brian Viloria or someone else, he knows he will be ready. He wants to get there and stay there for a very long time.

By: Bill Velasco

http://www.philstar.com/sportsarticle.aspx?articleid=774267&publicationsubcategoryid=69

WBO Intercontinental flyweight champion Milan “El Metodico” Melindo of the famed ALA Gym pulverized Mexico’s rugged Juan Esquer to win by a 7th round TKO before a huge crowd at the Waterfront Hotel and Casino in Cebu.

Fight fans learned that boxing was more fun in the Philippines when they were treated to a ridiculous acting job by Esquer who got hit with a left that was on the lower end of his high-rise trunks in the dying seconds of the sixth round, went down, crawled all over the canvas in a show of agony, got up and fell down more than once as the crowd booed the Mexican who has a history of such antics in the ring, lustily.

Given a mandatory five minute break to recover, the Mexican came charging back in the final seconds of the round much to the delight of the fans and belying the pretense that he was badly hurt.

Early in round seven Esquer caught Melindo with a clear low blow that appeared to be intentional and then when he realized it was a lost cause and Melindo caught him with a left to the chest, he feigned a low blow before his corner decided to call it quits and referee Danrex Tapdasan ended the contest at 2:16 of the 7th round.

It was as classic a display of skill as the technically sound Melindo used his hand-speed, rapier-like jab and cracking double left hooks to the head and body alongside flurries of accurate punches to wear down the tough Mexican and retain his title.

The impressive win set Melindo who is ranked No.1 by the WBO on a collision course against countryman Brian Viloria unless ALA Promotions president Michael Aldeguer is able to get Melindo a title shot against any of the champions from the other world organizations such as WBC champion Pongsaklek Wonjongkam, WBA champion Hernan Marquez and IBF champion Moruti Mthalane.

ALA Promotions president Michael Aldeguer told the Manila Standard that for Melindo to earn a mandatory crack at Viloria’s title he would have to fight a top-ten ranked fighter in his next bout which is what WBO president “Paco” Valcarcel told him at the last WBO convention in Puerto Rico. He also disclosed that Top Rank promoter Bob Arum had asked him about Melindo after we mentioned his name to Arum and Manny Pacquiao’s adviser Michael Koncz and they are exploring the possibility of Melindo seeing action against a top ten contender on the undercard of Pacquiao’s scheduled June 9 fight in Las Vegas.

Aldeguer said “you can’t hide from fighting Viloria if that’s what has to happen. It would be unfair to Melindo and to fight fans.” He cited the example of Mexico pointing out that Mexicans fight against each other for regional and world titles. That’s the nature of boxing.

Aldeguer also plans to send Melindo along with AJ “Bazooka” Banal to train under Nonito “The Filipino Flash” Donaire’s accomplished trainer Robert Garcia in preparation for his US debut.

The 23 year old Melindo improved his unbeaten record to 26-0 with 10 knockouts while Esquer dropped to 27-10-2 with 21 knockouts.

Melindo set the tone of the fight in the opening round when he caught Esquer with double left hooks and ended the round with a solid right hook. Another left hook in round two stunned Esquer and a cracking right uppercut ended another excellent round for Melindo.

In an action-packed third round Melindo marked by some furious exchanges Esquer connected with a low blow which referee Tapdasan apparently didn’t see. Melindo was warned for a low blow in round four while Esquer kept shaking his head after getting caught by Melindo’s combinations as though to say the punches didn’t hurt.

Melindo was called for another low blow in round five although referee Tapdasan didn’t deduct a point despite his previous warnings. Esquer connected with three straight jabs even as he continued to complain about imaginary low blows and went into a series of highly exaggerated acts while rolling on the canvas .

Melindo suffered a small cut on his right eyebrow following a head-butt before Melindo drove Esquer to the ropes and decided to forget the body shots which were called low and instead went to the head with vicious flurries that rocked the Mexican.

After connecting with an obvious low blow and receiving a left to the chest, Esquer claimed he was hit by a low blow prompting his corner men to step into the ring forcing referee Tapdasan to call a halt.

In fact it was Esquer who was disqualified in the 7th round for repeated low blows in his last bout against Ricardo Nunez for the Latino flyweight title. In a post fight interview with TV commentator Bill Velasco of ABS-CBN which telecast “Pinoy Pride XI” on Channel 2, said “He knew he was going to lose. His body was weak and I would knock him out.”

By Ronnie Nathanielsz

http://philboxing.com/news/story-65813.html

WBO #1 flyweight Milan “El Metodico” Melindo of the Philippines kept his Intercontinental crown via a 7th round TKO over a game but outclassed Mexican Juan “Panterita” Esquer Saturday night at the Waterfront Hotel in Lahug, Cebu. Melindo, 23, peppered Esquer with stiff jabs, uppercuts and punishing 4 to 5-punch combinations, all in precision manner. In round five Esquer got floored with a low blow that saw the Mexican wince in pain and rolled around the ring. Esquer tried to stand up at least six times but fell each time. After a few minutes Esquer continued fighting and survived the round.

In the 7th canto Esquer trapped Melindo in the neutral corner but threw a clear low blow. Referee Danrex Tapdasan came in for a momentary halt but Esquer surprisingly fell down and claimed he was hit by a low blow. Replays through a wide screen inside the venue however showed Esquer not being hit by any punch. Tapdasan waived off the fight after Esquer refused to stand up. Official time was 2:16.

With the win Melindo improves to 26-0 with 10 knockouts while Esquer drops to 27-10-2 with 21 KO’s.

In other bouts of this fight card dubbed “Pinoy Pride XI: Philippines vs. The World”, WBO #5 Lorenzo “Thunderbolt” Villanueva floored Mexican Diego Ledesma twice with thundering left straights en route to a first round stoppage. Villanueva ups his record to 23-0, 22 KO’s.

Super flyweight Mar Jhun Macahilig kayoed Kaichon Sor Vorapin in the second round while OPBF minimumweight champion Merlito Sabillo scored a hard-earned 8-round verdict over Sofyan Effendi of Indonesia.

Super featherweight Joseph Von Minoza completed a 5-0 shutout for Team Philippines as he decisioned Yoo Shim Kim of Korea in their own 8-round battle.

By Dennis Principe

http://www.fightnews.com/Boxing/melindo-stops-esquer-106936

ALA Boxing Promotions is offering 23-year-old WBO Intercontinental flyweight champion Milan “El Metodico” Melindo a mandatory bout this year if he surpasses another tough test against former WBC and WBO Latino flyweight champion Juan Esquer in the main event of the Pinoy Pride XI on Jan. 28 at the Waterfront Cebu City Hotel and Casino.

Melindo, who sports a 25-0 (win-loss) record with nine knockouts, is one of the brightest bets for a world crown in the flyweight division after scoring a lopsided win over Mexican Francisco Rosas last year.

“His reputation in the boxing world is very high,” said ALA Boxing Promotions president Michael Aldeguer during yesterday’s official launching of the event at the PAGCOR Casino Filipino theater at the Waterfront. “A lot of champions want to fight Milan and we are ready for that. He just needs to win every time and we are planning to follow mandatory bouts for him.”

Fellow Filipino Brian Viloria reigns as the WBO flyweight champion and a fight against him seems possible according to Milendo’s camp. But they said other options are being considered to prevent an all-Filipino duel.

As for now, Milendo’s eyes are set on Esquer as he defends his WBO intercontinental title.

“I viewed his tapes and his style is very fit for me because he is a slugger. I’ll just have to find a way to beat him,” said Milendo.

Esquer’s latest bout ended up in disappointment after he was disqualified against Ricardo Nunez last November during their WBO Latino flyweight bout for excessive low blows in the seventh round.

UNDERCARD BOUTS

Meanwhile, former Braveheart stable pug and WBO Oriental featherweight champion Lorenzo “Thunder Bolt” Villanueva (21-0-20 KOs) will fight Mexican Diego “Tyson” Ledesma (18-4-2 12 KOs) in a non-title bout in the undercard.

Also to be featured in the undercard is Mhar Jhun “Astig” Macahilig (13-1-7KOs), who will be facing Thai veteran Kaichon Sor Vorapin (25-10-9KOs). Bacolod’s reigning OPBF minimumweight champion Merlito Sabillo will also go up against Indonesian journeyman and Indonesia Boxing Commission minumumweight champion Sofyan Effendi (11-11-2 9KOs).

Former ALA fighter and RP No. 1 featherweight contender Joseph Von Minoza returns to his original stable to fight Korean Yoo Shin Kim in the 128lbs division.

Another attraction will be the bout between Jojo “Flash” Entor against Crispin Barba while Mark Acub and Samuel Galinato will fight in the 126lbs division. Ivor Lastrilla faces Jicky Gaco in the opening bout.

http://newsinfo.inquirer.net/124267/milan-to-get-mandatory-bout-if-he-wins-in-pp12

Filipino-American World Boxing Organization flyweight champion Brian Viloria punched his way to an eighth round technical knockout victory over Mexican challenger Giovani Segura to keep his 112-pound crown and earn his place in the roster of the finest pound-for-pound fighters in the world Sunday at the half-filled Ynares Sports Center in Pasig City.

Sticking to his game plan of attack-counter-attack all throughout that confused Segura, the 31 year-old Viloria, known in the international boxing world as the “Hawaiian Punch,” proved true to his moniker by implanting a big mouse above Segura’s right eyebrow right in the second round mostly on left hooks that developed into a huge hematoma as the fight wore on.

That same left shot staggered the challenger going into the last 20 seconds of the eighth and as the Mexican’s body looked to turn around led referee Samuel Viruet embraced Segura signaling the fight is over gifting the Ilocos Norte-born and Waipahu, Hawaii-based fighter his 30th victory, his 17th via stoppage in his six-year pro-career.

More importantly, with the win, Viloria accomplished what he really had wanted – barging into the list of pound-for-pound best; an honor he has long been targeting but continued slipping from his hands due to a roller-coaster career.

Viloria, a former amateur standout and a member of the United States Olympic team in 2000, actually, was punishing with volley of left and right combinations earlier in the period before landing the finishing kick to end what he himself described as the best fight of his career, sending Segura, ranked ninth in the world’s best pound-for-pound, to the nearby Medical City Hospital for further checkup.

“Yeah, that was my best fight in my career, Viloria told media men during the post-fight press conference. “It was even better than Miranda ((Mexico’s Julio Cesar Miranda from whom he stole the title last July).”

“It was easy, yes but only because I trained hard for this fight and I stuck to my game plan by not going into the ropes. I just met him in the center of the ring and avoided turning the fight into a brawl in which he (Segura) is at his best,” he said.

“He has heavy hands, but he didn’t hurt me. I often saw his punches, prepared to avoid them, then counter-attack,” he said drawing concurrence from his American manager Gary Gittelsohn.

“That was a fight between the two very best flyweights in the world and it’s a pity the U.,S. missed hosting it,” Gittelsohn said, who added, his ward might stick it out in the 112-pound category although plans are also afoot to invade higher divisions.

“We’ll stick it out in the flyweight division, but we might also try to test the waters, say in the 115-pound class,” the manager said.

Except for two rounds – the first and second, which Malaya Business Insight scored as draw, all rounds were Viloria’s convincingly.

Viloria wound up with a slight cut in his left eyebrow inflicted in the second round and a swollen left cheek but was never really threatened as he repeatedly pummelled the former WBO and World Boxing Association light-flyweight kingpin with crispy lefts and rights to the elation of the crowd that included Filipino icon Manny Pacquiao and former two-division champ Gerry Penalosa. Judge Danrex Tapdasan saw the fight, 69-64 at the time of the stoppage , judge Ulysses Glen,70-63, and judge Harry Davis, 68-65, all in favor of Viloria.

By Eddie Alinea

http://philboxing.com/news/story-64039.html

Pasig City – In an incredible display of skill, heart and sheer will power, Brian “The Hawaiian Punch” Viloria successfully defended his WBO world flyweight title against Mexican “Aztec Warrior” Giovani Segura at the Ynares Sports Center.

Segura, who attacked from a southpaw stance, had Viloria on the back foot in the opening minutes of the fight but Viloria’s left hook began to find its range going into the second round. Viloria stunned Segura with a right hand lead followed by a left hook and had Segura on the ropes twice. Viloria bled from a cut on the left eyebrow but Segura looked dazed and confused at the end of the round.

A hematoma started to form on the Mexican’s right temple as Viloria’s left landed with impunity in the subsequent rounds. Segura continued to press the action but missed wildly. His power was evident as Viloria covered up and winced as Segura’s hooks connected.

The partisan crowd cheered for every punch Viloria threw. Past the halfway mark, the swelling on the right side of Segura’s head got bigger and his right eye would eventually get affected and started to close as well. Segura was still dangerous but Viloria, with blood continuing to leak from his cut, pressed his advantage by landing hard shots.

The crowd was in a frenzy sensing a Viloria victory. Segura faded and after the 7th, referee Samuel Viruet checked and talked with the Mexican cornermen.

Segura answered the bell for the 8th round but Viloria pounced on him with a brutal volley prompting Referee Viruet to save the challenger from further punishment. Official time – 0:29.

Viloria (30-3, 17 KO’s) finished with a swollen left cheek aside from his cut. But he made sure he would retain his title in front of boxing icon Manny Pacquiao and former two-division world champ Gerry Penalosa and lustfully cheering fans who trooped to Pasig on a Sunday morning.

The scores prior to the stoppage had Viloria ahead – Judge Danrex Tapdasan – 69-64, judge Ulysses Glen – 70-63 and judge Harry Davis – 68-65.

Segura (28-2-1, 24 KO’s) was ranked ninth by Ring magazine in their pound for pound list prior to this bout. Viloria’s win makes three Filipino boxers on that prestigious list by year’s end.

Photos by Dong Secuya.

By Rene Bonsubre, Jr.

http://philboxing.com/news/story-64016.html

Three-time and reigning WBO world flyweight champion Brian “Hawaiian Punch” Viloria (29-3, 16 KOs), a dual citizen of the U.S. and Philippines and a 2000 U.S. Olympian, is ready to take on Mexican challenger Giovani “El Guerrero Azteca” Segura, on Saturday at the Ynares Sports Arena in Pasig City, Metro Manila, Philippines. “I’ve sparred with Segura in the past and we beat the hell out of each other,” Viloria said. “It was the kind of sparring where we could have charged the audience for an entrance fee and they wouldn’t have complained. Knockout specialist Segura (28-1-1, 24 KOs), a two-time world light flyweight champion (World Boxing Association Super champion), knocked out previously undefeated WBO champion Ivan Calderon (34-0-1) in a unification fight in 2010 and again this past April in a rematch before moving up in weight.

Integrated Sports Media, the pound-for-pound king of sports distribution in North America, will distribute the Saturday night “Island Assault 3″ for live viewing at 9:00 PM/ET, 6PM PT. The event is available on satellite pay-per-view via DISH Network, and on-line pay-per-view at http://www.ustream.tv/integratedsportsppv

“We’re looking forward to bringing this action-packed card, headlined by two of the best lighter weight fighters in the world, Viloria and Segura, to US boxing fans,” Integrated Sports Media president Doug Jacobs said. “This exciting show continues the heated Filipino vs. Mexican boxing rivalry that is one of the most intense in the sport today.”

http://www.fightnews.com/Boxing/viloria-ive-sparred-with-segura-in-the-past-and-we-beat-the-hell-out-of-each-other-103913

MANILA, Philippines — It isn’t often that you’ll find a world champion entering his first title defense as the underdog, but that’s the situation WBO flyweight titleholder Brian Viloria finds himself in as he approaches his showdown with THE RING’s junior flyweight champ Giovani Segura this Sunday, Dec. 11, (Saturday evening in the U.S.) at the Yñares Sports Arena in Pasig City.

Viloria, of Waipahu, Hawaii, twice held major 108-pound titles before stepping up to flyweight to defeat Mexico’s Julio Cesar Miranda in his most recent outing to earn a belt in his second division. The 31-year-old veteran lost his junior flyweight titles in his second defense of each reign. Most observers are anticipating that this title run will end earlier than the previous ones because of the relentless pressure and KO power of his 29-year-old challenger.

The fight will be aired by the GMA Network in the Philippines, and on pay-per-view in the United States (Integrated Sports, $29.95, 8:00 p.m. EST).

Viloria (29-3, 16 knockouts), a memember of 2000 U.S. Olympic squad, fully embraces the dark horse role given to him by odds makers and most of the media.

“I love being the underdog,” Viloria, told RingTV.com following a light workout at the Punch Out Boxing Club in Makati City. “It motivates me to get ready for a fight. I love fighting when everybody is doubting me. I love trying to prove them wrong.”

Viloria’s longtime assistant traienr Ruben Gomez agrees believes the gifted boxer-puncher is at his best when his back is against the wall.

“I think it’s a good situation to be in, being expected to lose,” said Gomez, who has been with Viloria since the Filipinio-American first turned professional. “But to us, it’s not going to be a surprise when they raise Brian’s hand in victory because we came here to win and that’s exactly what’s going to happen.”

Viloria is no stranger to being the underdog. Prior to his second world title winning effort against Ulises Solis, Viloria was all but written off as a signature win for Solis’ ninth title defense. Instead Viloria won, punctuating the performance with an 11^th-round knockout that would be at home on any highlight reel.

The opposite side of the coin is that Viloria sometimes loses fights he’s supposed to win.

All of Viloria’s defeats — to Carlos Tamara, Omar Nino Romero and Edgar Sosa — came unexpectedly, the result of focus issues, Viloria’s team claims.

“Brian should be working on his fifteenth title defense now,” said Gomez. “I think those fights that he lost, he should have never lost them.”

Viloria finds himself in this difficult spot not by choice, but as a result of his challenger’s mandatory position with Viloria’s predecessor Miranda. Viloria was allowed to cut in front of Segura (28-1-1, 24 KOs) and fight Miranda with the understanding that he’d have to immediately face the slugger from Bell, Calif., by way of Guerrero, Mexico.

The Viloria-Segura clash was expected to take place earlier in the fall but was delayed due to a cut over Viloria’s right eye suffered in the Miranda fight.

Viloria has already upset the odds just by being in this position. Viloria’s career was in serious doubt following his loss last January to Carlos Tamara when, ahead on the scorecards, Viloria’s conditioning fell apart, causing him to lose by a12th-round stoppage. Afterwards he collapsed in the dressing room from exhaustion, a product of the difficulty he experienced making the 108 pound weight limit.

Then, just two weeks before his return bout against Omar Soto six months later, Viloria’s trainer Roberto Garcia abandoned Viloria to join Nonito Donaire Jr., leaving Viloria to find a new trainer. Mario Morales, who is now Viloria’s head trainer, isn’t exactly new, having worked with Viloria early in his career.

“I’ve gone up and down so many times in my career, it is like a roller coaster,” said Viloria. “The resiliency of my career, that’s what it is. Right now I’m back on top as a world champion and I want to stay there. It’s really hard to become a world champion, but it’s ten times as hard to stay as a world champion. The path of my career, it’s what made me today. I think I’m a complete fighter now.”

Viloria vs. Segura Promo

Viloria is expected to be the crowd favorite against Segura, not because the Philippines is a second home to him, but a first home. Viloria was raised by his grandparents from six months to the age of six in the Philippine province of Ilocos Norte on the island archipelago’s most northwestern corner. A dual citizen of the Philippines and America, Viloria’s first language is Ilocano, a dialect of Filipino spoken exclusively in that region. He didn’t learn to speak English until rejoining his parents in Hawaii to begin school.

This will be Viloria’s fifth appearance in the Philippines.

Segura, who is rated number nine on THE RING’s pound-for-pound list, conceded at Wednesday morning’s press conference that Viloria was “a more complete fighter.” He didn’t have Viloria’s pedigree, having picked up the sport at the advanced age of 18. He turned pro after just 11 amateur bouts, while Viloria represented the United States in the 2000 Summer Olympics.

What he does have over Viloria are two signature knockout victories over the previously-unbeaten ring legend Ivan Calderon in 2010 and 2011 that have catapulted him to a pedestal that Viloria has never reached.

The two have crossed paths a number of times over the years, working alongside each other at the Azteca Boxing Club in Bell, Calif., and as sparring partners for five different fights. Segura’s team have said that they got the better of the action and as a result have a mental edge over Viloria. Viloria and company dismiss it as “just sparring.”

“Sparring is like scrimmage; You don’t give your best foot forward,” said Viloria. “You just try to work on things you need to work on. Sometimes it gives you a false sense of saying, ‘Alright, he fights this way’ or ‘He fights that way, that’s the way I’m gonna fight him.’ It really kind of throws you off when you switch it off. The real fight is a whole different level than a sparring session.”

“Giovani is full speed ahead, whether it’s sparring or it’s fighting,” said Gomez. “He spars pretty much the same way he fights. I don’t particularly like that type of sparring because if somebody hits you hard, you’re going to hit him hard and that just escalates.”

What Viloria believes the sparring sessions have done is given each man a sense of the way the other likes to fight, something that he feels will work to his advantage.

“He has that one-dimensional style, he’ll try and corner you and slug you out into submission,” said Viloria. “I’m so versatile in this sport, I think that’s going to be the difference in this fight. I don’t think Segura is going to figure out what style I’m going to bring into the ring. I’m going to have to switch it up and make him think and keep him on his toes.”

Many people who are picking Segura over Viloria do so out of a lack of faith in Viloria’s conditioning late in fights. Viloria himself acknowledges that conditioning has been an issue in past fights and says that has been their primary focus in training camp. Running the mountains of Southern California — as well as the additional four pounds of the flyweight division — have given Viloria confidence that his issues of the past are just that. The past.

“I’m really confident that I’m going to look at the twelfth round like I’ll look in the first round,” said Viloria. “I made the weight easy, I’m eating right, sleeping right. There’s not going to be any excuses in this fight.

“I want to go in there and show the world that Brian Viloria is a new Brian Viloria in this weight division and I want to stay world champion for as long as I can.”

http://ringtv.craveonline.com/blog/170601-brian-viloria-qi-love-being-the-underdogq

WBO flyweight champion Brian Viloria says he is “ready to go” when he defends his title for he first time against mandatory challenger Giovanni Segura, the former light flyweight champion at the Yñares Sports Arena on Sunday morning.

The fight card which is a cooperative effort between Zanfer Promotions and Solar Sports is titled “Island Assault 3” and will be telecast over GMA 7 beginning at 9:00 a.m.

Viloria told BoxingScene.com/Manila Standard that he’s been in the gym for almost three months and “been working hard every day, trying to get ready for Segura. It’s going to be a tough fight. I know that. Everybody knows that and I think I’m coming in as the underdog which I love. I worked ten times harder than for the (Julio Cesar “Pingo”) Miranda fight and I’m going to be ready.”

Viloria dropped Miranda in the opening round en route to winning the title via a unanimous twelve round decision in Honolulu last July 16.

The three-time world champion said he plans to use his skill, ring savvy and outbox the rugged Segura. Viloria said “it all comes down to execution. Train hard, set up a game-plan, try to work on the game-plan during training and when it comes down to the fight night you have to execute it. We have to fight smart, intelligently, stay off the ropes against Segura and just go out there and do my best.”

Viloria said some people underestimate his “hidden” punching power referring to the 11th round knockout over fancied Ulises Solis and dropping Miranda in the very first round. He said “hopefully on Sunday it (punching power) will show because I have a stopping ability. I also have the quickness, the ring intelligence and so much experience and I try to use everything all at once. ”

He said Segura was a nice person and “we can be friends before and after the fight but when we are in that squared circle all that goes out of the window and you have to get down to business. I’m going to try to knock his head off same way he’s going to try to knock my head off. That’s the sport of boxing.”

Viloria said his trainer Mario Morales “works you tremendously. He kicks butt and non-stop. He’s got me into that shape where I can go the full distance or try to wake up all the instincts that I have inside of me.”

Morales himself said Viloria was “in better condition than he was in Hawaii for the Miranda fight.” He said “if we carry on the strategy that we planned for this fight it will be an easy fight. It’s brain versus strength. If we decide to trade with Segura it will be a very hard fight but if we stick to the plan, box, and be in and out, in and out and use our speed then it will be an easier fight.”

Morales said Viloria was “very strong, very focused. I’ve never seen him this focused before.”

http://www.boxingscene.com/?m=show&opt=printable&id=46937

BRIAN Viloria is now in town, ready and in shape to defend his World Boxing Organization (WBO) flyweight crown against dangerous Giovanni Segura of Mexico Sunday next week.

Viloria, 31, brought with him two months of hard training, including 120 rounds of sparring, in preparing himself for the first defense of the title he won with a unanimous decision over Julio Cesar Miranda last July in Hawaii.

“I’m in perfect shape right now. So great to be back and get ready for this fight,” said Viloria, dubbed the `Hawaiian Punch’, just hours after arriving in the country Saturday afternoon following a 13-hour flight from Los Angeles, where he held training camp for the 12-round fight.

His being in perfect shape is one of the reasons why he doesn’t see Segura living up to his promise that he’ll knock out the reigning champion wrest his title belt.

The 29-year-old Segura, owner of a fearsome 28-1 record, including 24 KOs, arrived here as early as Thursday, and readily made known his intention to destroy  Viloria (29-3, 16 KOs) before an expected full-house crowd at the Ynares Sports Arena in Pasig.

“Brian, I am going to knock you out. I am saying that with confidence,” said the Mexican, the only fighter to beat the great Puerto Rican champion Ivan Calderon not just once, but twice.

Viloria, born in Waipahu, Hawaii, did acknowledge Segura is a deadly opponent, who knows nothing but to move forward.

“He (Segura) wants to exchange a lot, he throws a lot of punches, and wants to bang it up,” said Viloria, the former International Boxing Federation (IBF) and World Boxing Council (WBC) light-flyweight champion.

But the 2000 Sydney Olympian is ready whatever Segura brings with him to the ring.

“I push myself hard to train for this fight. I have to be in shape 10 times for this fight than I was when I fought Miranda,” he said.

Segura is a two-time world champion who once held the IBF and WBO light-flyweight crowns.

http://www.journal.com.ph/index.php/sports/18836-viloria-ready-to-defend-wbo-title

MANILA, Philippines — Brian Viloria had no problem fighting for a world title. But the 30-year-old boxer owns a spotty record when it comes to defending his belt.

Viloria (29-3-0, 16 KOs), though, hopes to change all that when he defends his World Boxing Organization flyweight title against the dangerous Mexican Giovani Segura (28-1-1, 24 KOs) next week.

Although some oddsmakers have tagged Viloria as the underdog, the Filipino-American, nicknamed “The Hawaiian Punch,” remains confident in the “Island Assault 3: Champion vs Champion” bout on Dec. 11 at the Ynares Sports Arena in Pasig.

Boxing experts think that a victory over Segura will make Viloria a legitimate threat in the flyweight division. Moreover, it’s a chance for Viloria to move up to a higher slot in Ring Magazine’s pound-for-pound rankings.

Viloria knocked out Eric Ortiz of Mexico on his first shot at the WBC light flyweight title in 2005.

In 2009, Viloria stopped another Mexican, Ulises Solis, on his first crack at the IBF light flyweight title.

Just last July, he also clinched the WBO flyweight title over Mexico’s Julio Cesar Miranda.

Viloria, however, absorbed losses in his title-defense bouts.

After defending his WBC light flyweight title against Mexico’s Jose Antonio Aguirre in 2005, he lost the following year to Omar Niño Romero on his second defense.

Viloria kept the IBF light flyweight belt when he defended it against Mexican Jesus Iribe in 2009 but he lost it again in his second title defense the following year against Carlos Tamara of Colombia.

http://sports.inquirer.net/27487/viloria-fights-for-world-title-and-more