Viloria Decisions Iribe in a Very Game Battle

At the Blaisdell Center in Honolulu, Hawaii, IBF junior flyweight champion Brian Viloria (26-2, 15KOs) retained his title against a very game Jesus Iribe (15-6, 9KOs) by winning a twelve round unanimous decision. The scores were 118-110, 117-112 and 117-111.

In the first round, Viloria used his jab to get inside and land power punch combinations. Viloria's hands were very fast. He battered Iribe in the final two minutes with speed and power. Iribe began to develop a large swelling on his head. Viloria came out throwing bombs in the second round and pressing the action. He mixed in some shots to the body with the head shots. The third round was closer as the action slowed down. The two were jabbing each other for most of the three minutes. Iribe did some better work in round four but Viloria was still landing the better and more impressive punches with his quicker hands.

Some good flurries by Viloria at the start of the fifth and then he landed a huge right that stunned Iribe who fought back after being clocked. Iribe was stunned to the body in the sixth and again he fought back off the ropes. During the seventh, Iribe stood his ground and the two of them were taunting each other as they exchanged punches. In the eight, Viloria and Iribe continued to taunt each other whne exchanging punches. The ninth round was a jabfest. They exchanged jabs and punches to the body. Viloria landed another huge right hand that Iribe ate and kept coming.

A right hand at the start of the tenth stunned Iribe. He backed away and then came forward to exchange body punches. A big left by Iribe at the end of the round shook up Viloria and the exchanged some big shots. Viloria was loading up in the eleventh and Iribe was countering with shots to the body.

They both came out throwing bombs at the start of the twelfth. It seemed like Viloria was stunned by a big left. Viloria stood close and continued to exchange punches. Both of them were going for broke. It was puzzling why Viloria was slugging away when he was well ahead on the cards. Iribe was landing some very hard shots to the body. They traded punches until the final bell with the crowd on their feet.