When North Bergen resident Carlos Tamara was informed that IBF junior flyweight champion Brian Viloria agreed to an April unification with Ivan Calderon, he immediately went to the history books.
In 1990, James “Buster” Douglas pulled off the biggest upset in boxing history by stopping unified heavyweight champion Mike Tyson in Tokyo, spoiling his mega-showdown with Evander Holyfield at a time when both would have been undefeated. Tyson did not meet Holyfield until six years later, when he was nowhere near the fighter he once was.
With a bout against pound for pound king Floyd Mayweather agreed to for April 8 2006, WBC Welterweight champion Zab Judah first took a stay busy fight at Madison Square Garden against Carlos Baldomir. Showtime was on tap to air the fight, further building up to Mayweather-Judah. Ultimately, Judah’s homecoming turned out to be a nightmare.
In arguably the worst performance of his career, Judah lacked focus and dropped a decision to the unheralded Argentinean. Judah, like Tyson, reportedly undertrained and lost focus with a more lucrative bout ahead of him. Although Judah-Mayweather still took place in April, the fans and media were infuriated and the fight did not receive the large-scale attention it likely would have received if Judah handled Baldomir.
Tamara, who is less than two weeks away from his second crack at a world title, is confident Calderon will have to find a new opponent.
“Viloria shouldn’t count his chickens before they hatch”, said Tamara, a 2004 Olympian. “I am dedicated and hungry to ruin his plans and become Colombia’s latest world champion.”
Tamara, 20-4 (14 KO’s), and Viloria, 26-2 (15 KO’s) meet January 23 at the Cuneta Astrodome in the Pasay City, Philippines. The card will be available in the US on pay per view.
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