Viloria's next fight Jan. 10 for vacant USBA title

By Dayton Morinaga
Advertiser Staff Writer

Hawai'i boxer Brian Viloria will spend the holidays training for another championship bout.

Viloria is scheduled to fight Alejandro Moreno of Mexico for the vacant United States Boxing Association (USBA) flyweight championship on Jan. 10 at the Mohegan Sun Casino Resort in Uncasville, Conn.

The bout, scheduled for 12 rounds, will be televised live nationally on ESPN2's "Friday Night Fights."

"This is a very solid opponent, and it's a good opportunity for Brian to put that lackluster performance of his last fight behind him," said his manager, Gary Gittelsohn.

Viloria celebrated his 22nd birthday on Nov. 24 with a majority decision over Peru's Alberto Rossel. Although Viloria successfully defended his North American Boxing Federation (NABF) championship, he expressed disappointment in his performance after the fight. The NABF title also will be on the line against Moreno.

"It's going to be an important fight for Brian," Gittelsohn said. "I think everybody knows he was disappointed that he wasn't at his best for his last fight, but he's ready to move on."

Indeed, the USBA is affiliated with the International Boxing Federation (IBF), and a victory by Viloria on Jan. 10 could place him on the international rankings.

Viloria, the former Olympic boxer from Waipahu, is 10-0 with six knockouts.

Moreno, 24, is 19-10-1 with 10 knockouts. He has been knocked out just once in his career.

"There will be no breaks for Brian between now and Jan. 10," Gittelsohn said. "This will be as tough an opponent as he's ever fought, so we want him to be ready, mentally and physically."