Former WBA Super World flyweight champion Brian Viloria faces Omar Soto over a scheduled 10 rounds at the Florentine Gardens in Hollywood, California, on Saturday, July 25.
The 34-year-old resident of Waipahu, Hawaii, turned pro in 2001 and most recently fought in December 2014, knocking out Armando Vazquez in the fourth. “Hawaiian Punch” (35-4, 21 KOs) won the WBA title in November 2012 by stopping Hernan Marquez via 10th-round TKO. He was dethroned in his next fight, losing to Juan Francisco Estrada by split decision in April 2013. Viloria has won five of his last six (the loss coming by way of Estrada) and is currently ranked third by the WBA.
Viloria has actually had 41 fights. His July 2002 bout with Alberto Rossel was declared a no contest, Rossel suffering a cut from an accidental headbutt in the third. Viloria would go on to beat Rossel by majority decision in November 2002. His November 2006 bout with Omar Nino Romero was originally called a draw, but later changed to a no contest after Romero failed a post-fight drug test. Viloria had lost to Romero by unanimous decision in August 2006 (his first loss), but stopped him by ninth-round TKO in May 2012.
The Hawaiian has only been stopped once, by Carlos Tamara via 12th-round TKO in January 2010.
Thirty-five-year-old Soto fights out of Mexico City, Distrito Federal, Mexico. A 15-year pro, “Lobito” (23-11-2, 15 KOs) hasn’t fought since September 2013, when he lost to Toshiyuki Igarashi by knockout. In his last six fights, he’s gone 3-3.
Viloria and Soto have fought once before. In July 2010, “Hawaiian Punch” won a split decision after 10.
This article was penned by the author who is not related to the WBA and the statements, expressions or opinions referenced herein are that of the author alone and not the WBA.
