Viloria collapses after losing flyweight title via TKO -- Honolulu Advertiser

The Associated Press

Waipahu boxer Brian Viloria relinquished his International Boxing Federation light flyweight world championship in an upset loss to Colombia's Carlos Tamara tonight in the Philippines.

Tamara defeated Viloria via 12th round TKO.

Media outlets in the Philippines reported that Viloria collapsed in his locker room after the bout, and was rushed to a hospital. GMA News in the Philippines was reporting that Viloria was conscious and in stable condition late last night.

The world championship bout was scheduled for 12 rounds at the Cuneta Astrodome in Manila.

It was the first time in Viloria's nine-year career that he suffered a loss by knockout.

Viloria appeared to be ahead early in the bout but Tamara rallied in the late rounds by using an effective jab.

According to GMA News in the Philippines, an exhausted Viloria absorbed 14 unanswered punches from Tamara in the 12th round, prompting the referee to stop the bout. The official time was 1:45 into the 12th round.

Viloria also left the ring with a cut above his right eye.

Viloria dropped to 26-3, and ended a seven-fight win streak. His last loss was in April 2007.

Tamara improved to 21-4 with the 15th knockout of his career. Tamara was the No. 7-ranked contender in the light flyweight (108 pounds) division of the IBF.

Viloria, 29, won the IBF world title in April of last year, when he defeated Ulises Solis. That was Viloria's first bout in the Philippines, where he is treated like a superstar. Last night was his second bout in the Philippines.

Last night was also his second defense of the IBF title. His previous bout resulted in a unanimous decision over Jesus Iribe in Honolulu.

Viloria is now a two-time former world champion. He was the WBC light flyweight world champion in 2005.

All three of Viloria's professional losses have come in world title bouts.

Prior to last night's bout, there were preliminary talks of a title unification bout between Viloria and WBO light flyweight world champion Ivan Calderon of Puerto Rico.

Source: honoluluadvertiser.com