Viloria retains boxing title
Associated Press
LAKE GROVE, NY. — Waipahu boxer Brian Viloria celebrated his 22nd birthday yesterday with a victory that nearly eluded him.
Associated Press
Viloria, straying from his pre-fight strategy, managed to pull out a 12-round decision over Alberto Rossel of Peru to retain his North American Boxing Federation flyweight title.
Waipahu's Brian Viloria won on his 22nd birthday.
The bout was a rematch between the two former Olympians who fought to a no-contest July 26. Rossel was unable to continue in that match after he was cut when the two knocked heads in the third round.
Yesterday, judges Judy Lederman voted 115-113 and John McKay 116-112 in favor of Viloria, while Fred Ucci had it 114-114.
Viloria, 114 pounds, boosted his record to 10-0 with six knockouts. Rossel, 113, dropped to 8-5.
"Brian came in here with the idea that this was going to be a quick fight and that he'd win easily," said Freddie Roch, Viloria's trainer. "His biggest problem was not throwing enough combinations. They are what got him this far. After the seventh round, I got on him and that definitely helped. No question, he was in danger of losing."
Viloria said he planned to use the combinations right away, but strayed from that.
"For some reason, I was sluggish and forgot about the strategy," Viloria said. "When Freddie jumped on me, I went to my strength and fortunately was able to pull it out."
