Brian Viloria on boxing, patience, and the eye of the tiger
by rick olivares
Four years later, 10 wins, 2 losses, and a 1 draw since to be exact, he is still the champion, this time the International Boxing Federation Junior Flyweight king. The eyes, well of course he’s now 29 years of age, seem older but the wisdom that comes with it. If he made his name as a power puncher, and he still is, patience is ever more a virtue.
In his early years as a boxer, the moniker “the Hawaiian Punch” wasn’t just a novelty. He was knocking out foes at a tremendous rate. His all-out action style forced opponent’s to adjust by sticking and jabbing, grappling when need be, then landing a punch or two before dancing away.
“It’s understandable,” said Viloria of those fights that went the distance. “They do what they need to in order to survive.”
The losses seemed to stall his career that was on a continuous ascent. “I have to admit that it was frustrating and I did some soul searching. I asked myself, ‘Do I still have what it takes?’ In boxing, anything can happen. You might be leading on the cards but one lucky punch and it can be all over for you. That’s how fragile it can be. It was frustrating but quitting wasn’t an option. I changed my mentality for my fights and prepared myself better not just for the early rounds but also for the long haul. This is where patience plays a big part. All of it, schedule changes, different opponents and time zones, it’s all a part. I know it’s overused but focus is real important.”
Viloria arrived in the Philippines January 11 after training in former Mexican champion Robert Garcia's La Colonia Gym in Oxnard, California. He figures that the two weeks is just right to get acclimated to the local conditions before he makes second title defense of the belt that he took after knocking out Ulises Solis in a spectacular finale in his first ever fight before his countrymen at the Araneta Coliseum last April 19, 2009.
On January 23, Viloria will face Carlos Tamara, a fellow Olympian who fought under the flag of Colombia in the 2004 Athens Summer Games, in a 12-round match dubbed Battle of the Bay at the Cuneta Astrodome. He previously won a unanimous decision against Jesus Iribe in his first IBF title defense.
“El Olimpico” the nickname Tamara goes by, is three years Viloria’s junior, spots a 20-4 record and is on a three-match win skein. In those three matches, he won two via unanimous decision and one by TKO. The latter two were fought in Colombia. Tamara is making his first fight on foreign shores since outlasting Mexican Juan Esquer in a bout in the Florida, USA.
Viloria on the other hand is on a seven-match win streak of his own since he lost to Edgar Sosa via unanimous decision.
“For sure there’s pressure to fight in front of the fans but I use that to motivate myself and train harder and to do good for the fans. I want to be at my best. I’ve fought in some of the best and worst places. So where you enter the ring isn’t a factor because once it does then it plays inside your head.”
As it was before, Viloria knows that his is entering his prime and will only be in the sport for a few more years. There is no question that he gets up for every fight and his eyes – “Eye of the focused Tiger” he describes -- light up when talking about the sport, his opponent, or even what he wants to achieve.”
“Greatness and to fight for the fans and to bring honor to your fellow countrymen.”
Just then, his fiancée, Erica Navarro, a Filipino-American from Hawaii and a childhood friend of Viloria’s, enters the training room. The champ’s eyes light up.
“Yeah, and for her too.”
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