Viloria out-POUNDS Segura and his critics in Manila

Pilipinas United

MANILA - Dubbed as the "unfocused" and "unconditioned", defending WBO world flyweight champion Brian Viloria suprises everyone even his long-standing critics as he thoroughly dominates the Ring Magazine pound-for-pound rated Mexican Giovani Segura until referee Samuel Viruet stops the fight exactly 29 seconds left in the 8th round.  

        Before the fight, Viloria said that Segura is the only way to pound-for-pound recognition and to be the best you need to fight the best. The Hawaiian-born Filipino champion has full of respect for the Mexican slugger but remains confident he can beat Segura like when they're were sparring partners. 

       Viloria recently won his title from Julio Cesar Miranda of Mexico, whom he dropped in the opening round en route to a unanimous decision victory to claim his 3rd world title in two divisions. On the otherhand, Segura was on a dangerous 9-bout winning streak all via stoppages since decision lost to Columbian Cesar Canchila - a fighter defeated by Filipino Johnriel Casimiro for the interim WBO light flyweight championship back in 2009.

        The Hawaiian Punch never let the supports of  the Filipino crowd inside the jam-packed Ynares Sports Arena as well as the attendance of his idol, 8-division champ Manny Pacquiao to come into another heart-breaking loss. In the first round, Viloria displayed aggresiveness and focus but Segura replied with swing hooks and uppercuts. Round two was the most vital for the champion as well as the game-changer, when he land a vicious left hook to the right side of the challenger's forehead that halted the Mexican's activity in effect. From then on, Viloria has the upper-hand in every exchanges throwing accurate jabs, body shots and overhand rights that seems to hurt the slowing challenger. Suddenly, a huge inflammation appeared on Segura's right forehead taht raised some concerns as the fight turns to be one-sided. Although Segura was obviously weakened and outboxed, he showed the true Mexican-heart, warrior enough to take the beatings and continue to fight on. However, the Hawaiian Punch' show ended in the eight round as another shot explode on target that shook Segura's balance to win the bout by way of technical knockout and to remain on his world flyweight throne. 

        A career-defining permormance for a much-criticized fighter because of questionable motivation and stamina. But Viloria proved his critics wrong by defeating one the most feared fighters in the world today. Viloria also warned the top dogs of the division to beware because he is ready to face anybody be it the lineal and WBC champion Ponsaklek Wonjongkam, WBA and IBF counterparts Hernan Marquez and Moruti Mthlane respectively. Also along the list are fellow Filipino fighers Milan Milendo and Froilan Saludar. While Viloria is on his vacation right away, his quest to be one of the best flyweights ever will be on hold and definitely depending on his hands. 

3 REASONS WHY PACQUIAO-MARQUEZ III'S OUTCOME IS JUST

Photo: Julie Jacobson / AP

Pilipinas United

      Controversy and disappointment still haunt the recently concluded trilogy between pound-for-pound king Manny "Pacman' Pacquiao and Mexican nemesis Juan Manuel "El Dinamita" Marquez. Pacquiao narrowly escaped a twelve-round majority decision (Official scorecards 115-113, 114-114 and 116-112) to retain his WBO welterweight title from a brilliant JuanMa Marquez. The Filipino icon was busy throughout the fight, consistently attacking and landing more punches but his Mexican rival got the better of some exchanges and more telling blows. Certainly, the two judges gave it to Pacquiao while the third scored the bout even. Compubox stats has Pacquiao the busier fighter averaging 49 punches thrown per round compared to Marquez's 36. Pacman also had the edge in power punches while El Dinamita landed the cleaner shots. 

      In their first meeting in 2004, Marquez, the then defending WBA/IBF featherweight champion was down three times in the 1st round by a relatively underdog Pacquiao and yet managed to eked out a split decision draw (Official scorecards 115-110, 113-113 and 110-115 Compubox stats). In their rematch held 2008, Manny dropped Juanma once in round four which proved to be the deciding factor in a split-decision win to wrest Juanma's WBC super Featherweight strap along with the lineal title. (Official scorecards 115-112, 112-115 and 114-113 Compubox stats).

3 Reasons why Pacquiao-Marquez III's outcome is just.


1. KARMA (What goes around comes around)

    Remember after their 2004 fight, Judge Burt A. Clemens admitted that he incorrectly scored the first round, where Pacman pinned Dinamita thrice, which he should have it 10-6 rather than 10-7 in favor of Pacquiao. That score cost Pacquiao two major titles. On the other-hand, their last two rematches' scores also cost Marquez two titles. Its pretty even now.

2. 10 POINT MUST-SYSTEM (Round-by-round scoring)

     There were rounds that Pacquiao was clearly battered by Marquez, however there were also rounds that have few exchanges which is the difficult one to score. Aside from data gathered by Compubox, Pacquiao was very active each round and would deserved the 10 points if there were less action.

3. PACQUIAO-MAYWEATHER WILL HAPPEN

      If Pacquiao won by knockout, Mayweather would have not called Pacman's name infront of the media and be interested in the super-fight beng held next year. "Floyd would be scared scared if Manny wins impressively against Marquez" according some Pacmaniacs. Since that's not the case, The American superstar will never hesitate to fight his Filipino counterpart because of its poor form. Pacquiao is getting weaker now, winning last four fights without a knockout. Nevertheless, this move made by Floyd Mayweather as well as the Pac-Marquez result are both a major boost to transformed the mega-bout into reality rather than fantasy.