‘Hawaiian Punch’ victory over Marquez unifies flyweight belts

In a tremendous display of resiliency and raw courage as WBO flyweight champion Brian “The Hawaiian Punch” Viloria survived a shaky fifth round and stopped Hernan “Tyson” Marquez of Mexico in the tenth round of their bout in the Champion vs Champion card at the Los Angeles Sports Arena in Los Angeles, California, USA yesterday.

With the win, Viloria claimed the Mexican’s WBA flyweight belt.  The 31-year-old Viloria, who traces his roots to Narvacan, Ilocos Sur but grew up in Waipahu, Hawaii, made history by becoming the first unified flyweight titlist since 1965.

Viloria improved to 32-3 (win-loss) with 19 knockout wins while Marquez dropped to 34-3L, 25 KOs.

Viloria sent a stunning message to Marquez in the first round in the form of a knockdown courtesy of a right hook.

Viloria outboxed Marquez and landed hard body shots to dominate the next three rounds.

Marquez came alive in the fifth, unleashing a battery of punches that had Viloria staggering and seeking refuge on the ropes.

But Viloria bounced back with another huge right hook and the Mexican was down again in the canvas.

Marquez kept his pressure and Viloria looked faded in the ninth round.

In the tenth, Marquez pinned Viloria on the ropes but Viloria sent the Mexican down a third time with a well-timed left hook to the head.

Marquez beat the count but Viloria continued to pummel him, prompting Marquez’ trainer Robert Garcia to throw in the towel and referee David Mendoza stopped the bout at the 1:01 mark of the round.

Viloria was interviewed on television after the bout and was asked to comment about the fifth round scare. “I knew it looked bad but I wasn’t hurt. I knew he was going to get tired,” he said.

In the undercards, Drian “Gintong Kamao” Francisco of the Philippines scored a fifth-round stoppage win over Javier Gallo of Mexico.