Viloria fights Canadian in Philadelphia

By Ferd Lewis
Advertiser Staff Writer

History will be all around Brian Viloria as he works on his future tonight.

When the Waipahu Olympian steps into the ring against against Sheldon Wile of Canada in a non-televised 112-pound bout, it will be in one of boxing's most venerable buildings, Philadelphia's Blue Horizon.

The 136-year year old former Civil War-era mansion has been one of boxing's premier club showcases for the past 40 years, its rickety frame and paint-peeled exterior a stage for thousands of boxers.

"I've fought in Madison Square Garden (as an amateur) and now I'm looking forward to the Blue Horizon," Viloria said. "A lot of great boxers have appeared there and I can't wait to fight there."

After arriving from Los Angeles, where he has trained since his Sept. 28 victory in San Francisco, Viloria was scheduled to have taken a "Rocky" tour of Philadelphia yesterday.

But tonight the focus will be on Wile, who at 2-1 is something of a stepping stone opponent for Viloria. The bout is to be the last of the scheduled four rounders for Viloria who is 2-0 and contracted to move to six-rounders with his Nov. 23 appearance in New York.

"He (Viloria) is very confident in his ability and would go fight a title fight today if he could," said Gary Gittelsohn, Viloria's manager. "But we want to bring him along properly."

"I'm glad they aren't rushing me, but I'm looking forward to getting moving," Viloria said. "I'm ready, willing and able."