Brian Viloria Is Now Free from the Carlos Tamara Memory

Brian Viloria always remembered what happened on that fateful day of Jan. 23, 2010. It was the most devastating loss on his career. Right in front of his hometown crowd in the Philippines, breaking hearts and inspiration of many people who went into the fight to see Viloria succeed on his defense.

For most part of the fight, it was Viloria’s punches that came out appealing. However, he failed to deliver a win when he lost steam and came out huffing and puffing for air before Carlos Tamara finished him.

Viloria has been through a whole lot of setbacks on his career—losing to Omar Romero twice and Edgar Sosa. He fought on make-shift tents on some low-cost promotions just to get back on top.

Many believed on him. However, many lost faith. This was about a man who conquered mountains, but time and time again failed to deliver small hills. He has grown tired of expectations, tired of failures and yet failed to move forward.

The fight with Julio Cesar Miranda was his ticket to redemption. Fighting in front of his family, friends and relatives in Honolulu, Hawaii, this is going to be more than his third championship belt. This is going to be the culmination of everything he has gone through.

All the heart aches, all the failures—it is becoming a make or break fight. Miranda is no small hill; he is a knockout artist who comes to fight. This is what Brian wants—he wanted a good challenge like the way he fought Ulises Solis two years ago.

As Viloria lifted his fist in victory, it was one special moment. He did score a knockdown, but he never forced the issue. In spurts, he did engage with Miranda, but he was clever enough not to stand toe-to-toe with him for too long. This is the new Brian Viloria…

For a year, he had kept that dreaded memory of the Tamara fight. It was one memory that kept him going throughout his fight last Saturday.

Viloria is finally free, but it’s only the beginning. He will conquer more mountains—and yes, this time, small hills too.