Donaire, Viloria doubly excited to fight at ‘Thrilla in Manila’ site

MANILA, Philippines – The glory of being a world champion is already a given. But for Nonito Donaire Jr and Brian Viloria, the prospect of showing their stuff before their countrymen adds further excitement and motivation as they take on Raul Martinez and Ulises Solis, respectively, on April 19. Right at the very site of the famed “Thrilla in Manila" – the Araneta Coliseum! “We’re very proud we’re given this opportunity (to fight in the Philippines)," Donaire, who will be defending his International Boxing Federation and International Boxing Organization flyweight titles against Martinez, said in a live guest appearance on Showbiz Central Sunday. What makes it even more thrilling, Viloria confessed, is the fact that their very first outing on local soil will be held right where Muhammad Ali and Joe Frazier mixed it up in their 1975 tussle considered as among the best fights of all time. “This is special for us because we’re fighting in a place where Muhammad Ali fought," said Viloria, who will seek to wrest the IBF lightflyweight title away from Solis. Donaire agreed that the championship double-header dubbed “The Flash and The Furious" will be a “historical event" that will be held in a “historical venue." The 26-year-old Donaire will be making the third defense of the 112-pound belt he won behind a stunning fifth round knockout of previously undefeated Vic Darchinyan two years ago. “The Filipino Flash" said he’s in the best condition of his career, having undergone over 120 rounds of sparring and learning a lot from the veteran Gerry Peñalosa and his brothers during training camp. “Hawaiian Punch" Viloria, for his part is fighting for vindication, bidding to show that he still belongs to the big league. The 28-year-old Viloria wrested the WBC light-flyweight crown in 2005 with a sensational first round knockout of Eric Ortiz but after defending the title once, he lost by decision to Mexican Omar Niño Romero and never got the title back. - GMANews.TV