Viloria beats Romero to retain WBO title

WBO flyweight champion Brian Viloria gained revenge over Mexico's Omar Nino Romero on Sunday, winning by a technical knockout to retain his title in a hard-fought bout. Romero's corner threw in the towel in the ninth round of the World Boxing Organization fight in Manila after Filipino Viloria, 31, unleashed a salvo of unanswered punches against the 36-year-old Mexican, who was stuck on the ropes. The victory gives Viloria, popularly known as the "Hawaiian Punch", a record of 31 victories and three defeats. It was also vindication for Viloria, who lost his World Boxing Council light flyweight title to Romero in 2006. Later that same year they clashed again but the fight was declared a no contest after the Mexican failed a post-fight drug test. Speaking after Sunday's bout, Viloria said he had become stronger since the two previous encounters. "He didn't feel my power in the first two fights," he said. Viloria, of Filipino descent and based in Hawaii, almost knocked Romero down in the fourth round with the Mexican visibly dazed by his opponent's punches. Romero, known as the "Giant Killer", falls to 31 wins, five losses and two draws.