Viloria to defend against Nino on April 1st

source: gmanetwork.com

WBO flyweight champion Brian Viloria will make his third title defense on April 1, in Manila, against old nemesis Omar Niño Romero of Guadalajara, Mexico, although no venue has been announced.


The bout will be the pair's third meeting, continuing a rivalry that began in 2006 when Niño upset Viloria by unanimous decision in Las Vegas for Viloria's WBC light flyweight belt, handing The Hawaiian Punch his first loss.

In a rematch three months later, a more aggressive Viloria dropped Niño twice, but the judges turned in a majority draw verdict.

Shortly after, Niño's drug test revealed that he had tested positive for methamphetamine, resulting in his title being stripped, in addition to a fine and suspension by the Nevada State Athletic Commission.

The 31-year-old Fil-Am Viloria (30-3, 17 knockouts) of Waipahu, Hawaii is fresh off a dominant eighth round technical knockout of pound for pound list entrant Giovani Segura in Manila this past December.

Viloria has now won four straight since his last defeat, a 12th round TKO against Carlos Tamara in January of 2010.

Niño (30-4-2, 12 KO) hasn't fought since losing in an upset to Gilberto Keb Baas in November of 2010, but will face Mexican Sammy Gutierrez on March 3 in a tune-up bout before facing Viloria a month later.

Niño won the 108 pound title a second time in 2010 when he defeated Filipino Rodel Mayol via controversial technical draw.

"Brian can hardly wait to follow up his great wins over Julio Cesar Miranda and Giovanni Segura by defending his world title against former world champion, Omar Niño Romero," said Viloria's manager Gary Gittelsohn. "Brian knows Niño well and he looks forward to their match-up in Manila on April 1st; Brian is intent to prove to the world that he is the greatest of the 'little giants.'" - AMD, GMA News