Former titleholder Hernan “Tyson” Marquez will return first time since being floored thrice during November’s dramatic 10th-round knockout loss to WBA and WBO flyweight beltholder Brian Viloria when he enters the ring on March 23 in Hermosillo, Mexico, according to Sean Gibbons of Zanfer Promotions.

A 24-year-old southpaw from Empalme, Mexico Marquez (34-3, 25 knockouts) had won his previous seven fights, five of them by knockout, since being stopped in the eighth round by Nonito Donaire in July of 2010 before facing Viloria (32-3, 19 KOs), a now 32-year-old Filipino-American.

Trained for the bout by Robert Garcia, who handled Viloria from 2008 to early 2010, Marquez is a rugged go-getter whose clash with Viloria is a Fight of the Year candidate.

“We are going to pursue a rematch with Viloria in the second half of 2013. But if Viloria decides to move up in weight to super flyweight, then Tyson will go after the vacant WBO title, against Filipino Milan Melindo,” said Fernando Beltran, president of Zanfer Promotions in a prepared statement.

“Hernan Marquez has our full support. He is a fighter of great courage and the public likes him, television likes him. He is young, healthy and very dedicated, and certainly will be a world champion again.”

Lem Satterfield can be reached at [email protected]