Viloria manager Gittelsohn concerned about Nino's drug past

Gary Gittelsohn, World Boxing Organization (WBO) flyweight champion Brian Viloria's manager, is seeking precautions to ensure an even playing field when his ward faces Mexican rival Omar Niño Romero for the third time on April 1 at the Ynares Sports Complex in Pasig City.

Gittelsohn, who has handled the career of the two-division champion since he turned pro after representing the United States in the 2000 Sydney Olympics, is requesting that the Games and Amusement Board (GAB) "conduct an appropriate drug panel on the fighters" in light of Romero's positive test result for methamphetamine following his second bout with Viloria in 2006.

 

The bout was originally declared a majority draw, but later changed to a no contest.

 

"Niño was exposed as a cheater when, in his second bout with Brian, it was determined that he took illegal drugs," said Gittelsohn. "It made Brian angry, but not nearly as angry as the judges' decision of a majority draw. Brian dropped Niño twice in that fight and the crowd was stunned that Brian wasn't awarded a deserved comfortable decision that night. Brian felt victimized by the decision and insult was added to injury by the revelation that Niño was a cheater."

 

An email to GAB commissioner Matthew Gaston seeking comment on their drug testing policy was not returned.

 

Niño's issues of the past may still come back to haunt him. An issue released by the Puerto Rico-based WBO stated that the bout was "pending sanction" until the $11,250 disciplinary fine he owes the Nevada State Athletic Commission is paid. The fine was the result of the positive test.

 

Niño, 35, of Guadalajara, Mexico, handed Viloria, 31, of Waipahu, Hawaii, his first career defeat in 2006 when he outhustled Viloria to a unanimous decision win. Niño later defeated Rodel Mayol in 2010 to win another title at 108 pounds, but lost it in his second defense to Gilberto Keb Baas. Niño was inactive for more than a year following that bout, defeating journeyman Javier Romano last month to break his sabbatical.

 

Viloria is coming off his career-best performance, a dominant eighth-round technical knockout (TKO) victory over Giovani Segura in December.

 

"A win over Niño will prove that Brian's resurrection is complete and the earlier contests between them was not indicative of the best Brian Viloria can deliver," said Gittelsohn. "On April 1, in Manila, Brian intends to take his rightful place among the best pound-for-pound fighters in the world." — JVP, GMA News