Former unified flyweight world champion, Brian "The Hawaiian Punch" Viloria (36-4, 22 KO's), has had a rollercoaster of a career. His most recent knockout victory over Mexico's Omar Soto (23-12-2, 15 KO's) this past weekend at the Florentine Gardens in Hollywood however, suggests the Filipino-American has come full circle.
Viloria and Soto faced off once before back in 2010, with Viloria escaping that fight in a split decision, leaving fans unimpressed in a lackluster effort. Now, approximately five years later, Viloria dominated Soto in a rematch, needing only one round to prove to the world that he still has a lot left in the tank.
Viloria, 34, battered Soto from pillar to post in just a little over two minutes in the very first round of the main event, sending the Mexican to the canvas three times before referee Zac Young called a halt to the contest at the 2:02 mark.
The Hawaiian Punch's power was on full display as Viloria first sent Soto down with a short right hook to the temple. The second knockdown came quickly after Viloria caught Soto with an overhand right. The end then came mercifully by a vicious shot to the liver. Soto took a knee and couldn't beat the count.
The body shot was so devastating, it took Soto a few minutes slumped over on the canvas to recover. Viloria walked over to check on his opponent while admiring his work.
It was a defining moment for Viloria, who galloped around the ring with confidence, looking like the Brian Viloria of old.
He had spent his days training at the famed Wild Card Boxing Club in Los Angeles wisely, under the watchful eye of legendary boxing coach, Freddie Roach, who was also in his corner last Saturday night.
Viloria's right hook -- his money punch -- was on point, looking mighty as it had early in his career. Although Soto gave Viloria problems in their first encounter, he was terribly outclassed in the rematch.
After Saturday's one-sided match, Viloria is looking forward to fighting for the title towards the end of the year -- which could either be a rematch against WBA and WBO flyweight champion Juan Francisco Estrada, or, against WBC flyweight champion Roman "Chocolatito" Gonzalez, who many consider to be the the best in the division.
Given Viloria's performance against Soto however, neither Estrada nor Gonzalez should be overly excited at the prospect of being locked in the ring with the heavy-handed Filipino-American.
In a decorated career which spans nearly 15 years, Viloria has fought and defeated some big names in boxing's lightest weight divisions, including victories over Ulises Solis, Giovani Segura, and Hernan "Tyson" Marquez.
He's overcome the biggest obstacles while faltering in some unexpected ones, but one thing's for certain, Brian Viloria always comes to fight.
If the Viloria who fought last Saturday night fights the rest of his career, fans of the Hawaiian Punch are in for another great ride to the top.