Brian Viloria can't wait to avenge loss

WBO flyweight champion Brian (The Hawaiian Punch) Viloria will wait a little longer before exacting payback on Mexican nemesis Omar Niño Romero as their 12-round title fight has been reset from April 1 to April 21 at the Ynares Sports Arena in Pasig City.

Viloria’s manager Gary Gittelsohn predicted the third bout between the two warriors will be conclusive. “Brian is so hungry to get Niño in the ring,” he said. “We all agreed to afford Niño additional time to deal with his issues.”

Romero was fined close to $12,000 for failing a drug test after battling Viloria to a majority draw in Las Vegas in November 2006. Three months earlier, the Mexican had dethroned Viloria as WBC lightflyweight champion via a unanimous decision, also in Las Vegas. Romero never settled his obligation with the Nevada State Athletic Commission (NSAC).

When NSAC executive director Keith Kizer learned of Viloria’s coming defense against Romero, an appeal was made to WBO president Paco Valcarcel to withhold the Mexican’s clearance as challenger until the fine is paid.

Technically, the WBO is not obliged to withhold sanction because it was not involved in the 2006 fight. But it’s holding back because of Kizer’s appeal since the WBO is actively involved in sanctioning fights in Nevada, explained Solar TV CEO Peter Chanliong who is coordinating the event with Mexico’s Zanfer Promotions, Gittelsohn and the WBO.

Gittelsohn said he was assured that Romero will pay the fine. The speculation is the fine will be deducted from his purse by Zanfer. “We’re informed that Niño will pay his delinquent fine to the NSAC and as soon as the payment is acknowledged, the WBO will sanction the fight,” he said. “We agreed to postpone the fight after receiving assurances that the fine will be paid.”

Solar Sports’ Paolo Diaz said preparations for the Ynares show are proceeding smoothly. “We’re not sure if this issue of paying the fine popped up when Niño fought (Rodel) Mayol for the WBC title and won,” he said. “In the undercard, we’re working on the IBF title eliminator between Al Sabaupan and Marvin Quintero and possibly, a defense by WBO Asia Pacific youth superflyweight champion Mark Anthony Geraldo.”

Sabaupan, 23, is ranked No. 4 and Quintero, 25, No. 6 by the IBF in the lightweight division. The top two slots are vacant and John Molina is ranked No. 3. The winner of the Sabaupan-Quintero fight will move up to No. 1. Sabaupan of Sipocot, Camarines Sur, has an 18-0-1 record, with 13 KOs, while Quintero of Tijuana, Mexico, totes a 24-3 mark, with 20 KOs. Geraldo, 20, scored a majority 12-round decision over previously unbeaten Jerwin Ancajas to wrest the WBO Asia Pacific youth crown in Cebu last week and has a 25-4-3 record, including 10 KOs.

Chanliong said because of the postponement, Zanfer may bid to stage the Sabaupan-Quintero fight in Mexico instead. “If Zanfer doesn’t push it for Mexico, we’ll make the fight our main supporting bout,” he said.

Sabaupan and Quintero are both hard-hitting 5-7 southpaws. The bout is expected to finish inside the distance as the fighters are equally heavy-handed. Sabaupan has scored three first round knockouts, including a disposal of Thai Wopichit Twins Gym for the IBF Pan Pacific lightweight title in 2010. Quintero has won his last four outings, all by KO, and his three losses came by KO.

A possible addition to the card is WBA female superbantamweight queen Jackie Nava of Tijuana. Last January, she beat Chanttall Martinez on points for the WBA crown in Tijuana. Nava, 31, has a 26-4-3 record, with 11 KOs, and is daring Fil-Am Ana (The Hurricane) Julaton to a face-off.

“Jackie is tentative,” said Diaz. “Her hand swelled up last week after training. We’ll find out her availability in a few days. We tried to make the fight against Julaton. We’ll try again.” Julaton, 31, recently lost her WBO superbantamweight title to Yesica Marcos in Argentina. If the Nava-Julaton fight can’t be arranged for the April 21 show, it will remain a possibility in a future Manila event.

The plan is for the Viloria-Romero winner to meet the survivor of tomorrow’s WBA flyweight title bout between defending champion Hernan (Tyson) Marquez of Mexico and Filipino challenger Mayol in Sonora. The unification showdown will likely be held in July, maybe in the undercard of a major promotion headlined by Juan Manuel Marquez, said Chanliong.