After being added to the Super Fly card earlier this week trainer Marvin Somodio is quick to tell anybody that’ll listen that 2018 is sure to be his fighter Brian Viloria’s year. . The 37-year-old Viloria (38-5, 23KO) is set to fight Artem Dalakian of Ukraine on February 24 for the vacant World Boxing Association (WBA) flyweight title at the Forum in Inglewood California, USA.
“He (Viloria) is very much determined to be a world champion again and we believe that he’s still capable of doing it,” Somodio, one of the trainers in Freddie Roach’s Wildcard Gym said.
“If we do not believe in him, why we waste our time in training? He remains a dedicated fighter and very disciplined. He is still very explosive.”
At the same time, this is his last chance to win a world title.”
Somodio said that with the proper tweaks here and there in his training that Viloria definitely still has what it takes to be a world champion.
“There is a lot of gas left in his tank but we just have to remind him how and when to aggressively attack his foe. We also need to remind him sometimes to slowdown in training,” added Somodio.
Viloria last lost to former P4P king Roman Gonzalez in October 2015 via 10th round knockout. Since then Viloria won against Mexican Ruben Montoya via unanimous decision last March 2 in Japan and then scored a fifth round stoppage win over American Miguel Cartanega in StubHub Center in California, last September 9.
“The only problem that I saw in his previous bout against Gonzalez was his early peaking. He came up short in most fights and he gassed out. He tried to finish off Chocolatito (Gonzalez) in the first round, but he could not sustain his aggression in the later rounds. I believe he learned from that loss,” said Somodio.
“We really need a good timing in our executions because Brian is more of a counter-puncher.”
The WBA No. 1 ranked Dalakian, 30, is undefeated in 15 fights, 11 of which he won by way of knockout. Viloria is currently ranked No. 2. One thing is certain, these Super Fly cards have given us some quality matchups.
By: Chris Henderson