By Ferd Lewis
Advertiser Columnist

Former world lightweight champion Andy Ganigan didn't fight for his first North American Boxing Federation championship until his 23rd professional fight.

Not until his 29th pro bout did former world superbantamweight champion Jesus Salud get his first NABF title shot.

So when another promising Waipahu boxer, Brian Viloria, signed to fight for the NABF flyweight title Aug. 30th in what will be only the 10th pro ring appearance, it raised some eyebrows. And more than a few concerns in some corners, even if Viloria's apparently isn't among them.

For here is the 21-year-old Viloria (8-0, 6 KOs, 1 no contest), who has gone past five rounds just once — and that was nine months ago — scheduled for 12 rounds against Gabriel Munoz of Mexico on ESPN2's "Friday Night Fights" a week from today in New York.

What's more, Munoz, who has a 29-10-1 record (18 KOs), has a recent history of going double-digit distances. Ten times in the last three years Munoz has gone 10 rounds or more, including three 12-round title bouts.

"The fight is a calculated risk," acknowledges Gary Gittelsohn, Viloria's manager. "But one we felt Brian is up to."

Viloria, too, maintains, "I'm ready for this."

On one hand, an NABF title opens doors in a hurry. A win a week from today would, for example, catapult Viloria into the top 10 of the World Boxing Council rankings in his weight class since the WBC recognizes certain federation titles such as the NABF. And once in the WBC rankings, Viloria would qualify to fight for a world championship shot.

On the other hand, however, Viloria's 15-month pro career is just beginning and some critics wonder: What's the hurry? The NABF opportunities will likely still be there in six months, a year.

Viloria's management team has brought him along expeditiously if carefully to this point, selecting opponents designed to challenge but not overwhelm the former Sydney Olympian. They have chosen foes designed to expose his weaknesses and polish his skills, but not over inflate an ego.

Despite their best intentions, however, Viloria has proven to be a faster learner and more accomplished fighter than most of his competition has been able to keep up with. It is the student who has usually been giving the ring lessons here to perhaps the surprise of everyone but himself.

In the process, it has become apparent that what separates Viloria from other recently minted pros is the length and quality of his amateur career. Before turning to pounding opponents for pay, Viloria won world amateur titles in a career in which most of his more than 200 amateur bouts came against international-class competition.

That Viloria finds himself on such a fast track now perhaps shouldn't surprise us. And neither should what he does while he's there.