THE HAWAIIAN PUNCH FIGHTS ON. Brian Viloria sends Omar Soto to the canvas with a right hook. (Photo : Jhay Oh Otamias)
With just a little over a month to go before Filipino-American Brian "The Hawaiian Punch" Viloria (36-4, 22 KO's) and WBC flyweight champion Roman "Chocolatito" Gonzalez (43-0, 37 KO's) lock horns at Madison Square Garden in a 12-round title bout, the two fighters are deep in training for what is to be the biggest fight so far in their respective careers.
Viloria, who is hard at work at Freddie Roach's Wild Card Boxing Club in Hollywood, California, expects the fight to be an absolute brawl and will try to push the issue against whom many consider to be one of the top ten best fighters, pound-for-pound.
"I think my power, just to try to push him back," said Viloria. "Not to let go with too much of my strategy but, I'll go in there and initiate I think with speed and just boxing him. I don't think Gonzalez can fight backwards but we'll see."
Indeed, Gonzalez is a known volume puncher with knockout power to boot, but the Filipino has also seen his fair share of similar styles.
Viloria is also a former US olympian and has competed against bigger name foes than Gonzalez, so experience is on his side. The former unified flyweight world champion knows the challenge that lies ahead, and recognizes that he must prepare well for the physical -- as well as mental -- battle that is to come.
"We're going to be training for different looks, different types of strategies back in the gym and we're going to find out when we study him a little bit more to see what his tendencies and weaknesses are," Viloria explained.
One of the biggest question marks that has often haunted Viloria throughout his career regards Viloria's stamina and his ability, or lack thereof, to remain as fresh in the so-called 'championship rounds' as he is in the opening moments of the fight.
That's why for this training camp, Viloria has employed all the necessary facilities and key people in his corner for the fight of his life.
"I'll come into the best shape of my life ever," said Viloria, who is working with Roach himself and assistant trainer Marvin Somodio. "This is such a big fight and I can't come into this fight at 50%, I need to be at 200% for this fight and I'm working on that right now just doing the things that I need to do, pulling out all the stops in terms of training on strength and conditioning."
Viloria will need to be at his absolute best if he's to overcome the odds. Gonzalez is a young, undefeated fighter in his prime and poses the stiffest test in Viloria's storied career. The man they call 'The Hawaiian Punch' however, remains confident.
"I'm putting myself and my body to the outermost limit and I want to come into the fight on October 17 in the right state of mind," said Viloria.
"For me, I just need to do that and just let everything else take care of itself."
