Viloria wins NABF title

Associated Press

NEW YORK — Undefeated Brian Viloria of Hawai'i scored a unanimous 12-round decision in a dull fight with Javier Lagos to win the vacant North American Boxing Federation flyweight championship last night.

Lagos, of Mexico, took the bout on two days notice and had to fly in from Houston, where he had been training, to replace Gabriel Munoz, who failed a physical.

Viloria, of Waipahu, improved to 9-0 with six knockouts, but had never gone past the fifth round in any of his previous eight bouts. Lagos, who dropped to 14-8-2 with four KOs, had gone 10 rounds twice and 12 rounds once.

Lagos ran throughout the fight and refused to mix it up with Viloria.

"Brian was frustrated with the guy's style," said trainer Fred Roach, after learning that his fighter had landed just 28 of 109 jabs.

Viloria said the fight was important — especially the win.

"This was a big moment for me — fight for a title — and I wanted to make a good showing," he said. "In a year or so, I want to move up.

"I had to pace myself since it was 12 rounds. Don't forget, I never went past five. As Fred said, I was definitely frustrated even though it was a victory and a championship."