Brian Viloria to battle unbeaten Nicaraguan phenom for world flyweight title

Former flyweight and light flyweight world champion Brian Viloria will get another shot at glory when he faces Roman Gonzalez for the WBC world flyweight title on October 17 (October 18 PHL time) at Madison Square Garden in New York.

 

Ranked No. 2 in The RING's prestigious pound-for-pound rankings, the 28-year-old Gonzalez, who reigns as the lineal champion in the flyweight division, is heavily regarded as one of the most talented boxers in the world — and Viloria is up for the challenge.

 

"I've always gotten up for big, huge fights like this specially fights where I’ve been the underdog. I actually relish in that a bit," Viloria told USA Today.

 

"They don’t know if I still have what it takes to beat a guy like Roman Gonzalez. This is the type of fight that gets me pumped, gets my blood flowing and extremely motivates me in trying to perform to the best that I can.”

 

Gonzalez is undefeated in 43 fights, holding a record of 43-0 with 37 knockouts. But according to Viloria (36-4, 22KOs), Gonzalez is yet to encounter an opponent capable of pushing him to the limit.

 

"I think a lot of people give [Gonzalez] a little too much credit versus opposition that he should be getting out of the ring or he should be beating,” said Viloria.

 

“In my eyes, I don’t think he’s really been tested the way I’m going to test him on October 17, but he’s very technical, he does the right things in the ring at the right time. I haven’t really seen anybody put a lot of pressure on him or try to exchange with him as much as they should.”

 

Viloria is on a four-fight win streak since losing his flyweight titles a couple of years ago and feels ready to impress come fight night.

 

"I think a lot of people are misjudging me because they haven’t really seen the abilities in the ring that I can put out there,” Viloria said.

 

"I believe when it comes to October a lot of people are going to be surprised at what they’re going to see: that I’m a devastating puncher, that I can overcome a fighter like Roman Gonzalez.”

 

Viloria vs. Gonzalez will be the co-main event of Gennady Golivkon vs. David Lemieux on HBO. —JST, GMA News