Brian Viloria and Roman Gonzalez (Photo : Jhay Oh Otamias)
For former unified world flyweight champion Brian "The Hawaiian Punch" Viloria (36-4, 22 KO's), maintaining energy levels over the course of a gruelling twelve round fight is one of the biggest challenges he's faced his entire career.
When Viloria takes on WBC flyweight champion and pound-for-pound entrant Roman "Chocolatito" Gonzalez (43-0, 37 KO's) at Madison Square Garden in New York, keeping fresh and maintaining his activity consistently from the first round to the last is priority number one.
"I'll go in there and trade with right stamina in the right state of mind and finish off the fight strong," said Viloria, also a former US Olympian.
"All I need to work on is my longevity and for me to finish the twelfth round like I started the first round," he added.
If you take a closer look, most of Viloria's career setbacks have been due to a lack of stamina where he is simply unable to finish fights strong.
His body is solid and built in such a way that just depletes energy with every punch he throws, that's why conditioning plays a huge part in all of his training camps.
Of the fighters who have defeated him, Carlos Tamara and Juan Francisco Estrada are the most noteworthy to examine. Both Tamara and Estrada were tireless volume punchers who Viloria dominated in the boxing department, but due to a lack of energy in the later rounds, both fighters also were able to outwork him.
It's been a Viloria issue for the longest time.
Over the years, he's adapted well and a move back down to flyweight from junior bantamweight was wise. Now, Viloria looks as good as ever and is on the cusp of greatness.
Though Viloria is 34-years of age, six years Gonzalez' elder, he aims to go shot for shot against a fighter known to maintain a frenetic pace for twelve rounds.
"I'm just going to fight my fight. I'm going to go in there and throw punches in bunches and try to outwork 'Chocolatito' at his own game," said Viloria.
"I don't think he's ever fought a guy of my caliber, a guy who could stand toe-to-toe with him and also switch it up and box too," he added.
It is also appearing likely that Viloria will enlist the aid of fellow Filipino world champion Donnie "Ahas" Nietes of the famed ALA stable. Mr. Tony Aldeguer recently offered Nietes' services as sparring partner for Viloria, and when Gary Gittlesohn, Viloria's longtime manager received word, he replied positively.
As it is now, Viloria will need all the help he can get to overcome the unbeaten Nicaraguan.
"Whatever comes in that night, I'll stick to my gameplan. I'll be looking for things and searching for what works in the ring," said Viloria.
