Viloria named NABF Champion of Year
By Dayton Morinaga
Advertiser Staff Writer
Proof that a flyweight can still carry heavy status, Waipahu's Brian Viloria was named the North American Boxing Federation's Champion of the Year yesterday.
Viloria, who stopped Valentin Leon in the eighth round last week at the Waikiki Sheraton Hotel Ballroom to improve to 12-0 with seven knockouts, won the NABF flyweight (112 pounds) championship last August. The NABF champion in each weight division was eligible for the Champion of the Year award.
"This is a great honor for me," said Viloria, 22. "A lot of great champions once held the NABF belt, and I hope to follow in their footsteps by defending it proudly."
Among the other current NABF champions Viloria beat out for the award are heavyweight David Tua and light heavyweight Montell Griffin.
"It's huge recognition," said Gary Gittelsohn, Viloria's manager. "It's one more sort of tool that can help open the door for more opportunities for Brian."
Viloria defeated Mexico's Javier Lagos for the NABF championship Aug. 30. He has won all three of his fights since, although last week's victory over Leon did not count as a title defense.
"Part of the reason why they picked Brian is because he's been active and has been willing to defend the title on a regular basis," Gittelsohn said.
Viloria will receive the award next month at the NABF convention in Vancouver, British Columbia.
RING NOTES
• Up next: Viloria is next scheduled to defend his NABF championship in July on ESPN, according to Gittelsohn.
An opponent and specific venue have yet to be determined, although the card will take place in Los Angeles. Viloria will be the co-headliner for the card with former 2000 Olympic teammate Jose Navarro.
"We have the contract with ESPN, it's just a matter of the details," Gittelsohn said. "We're still trying to find an opponent, but it's safe to say it'll be a quality one."
• Alternatives: Gittelsohn said he would be willing to cover the costs for the Hawai'i State Boxing Commission to fly in referees from the Mainland for future Viloria bouts in Hawai'i.
"If the Commission knows of a qualified referee they can bring in, I am willing to help out if money is an issue," he said.
Randy Ahlo, chairman of the Commission, said: "That would be a possibility, something we'd have to consider."
Gittelsohn's offer came in response to the Commission's ruling Tuesday that referee Abe Pacheco would be reprimanded, but not suspended, for his role in Viloria's victory over Leon last week.
Gittelsohn harshly criticized Pacheco for creating "a dangerous environment in the ring" for both fighters. Shortly after the bout, Gittelsohn said he would not allow Viloria to fight in Hawai'i as long as Pacheco was the appointed referee.
"I regret the way I lost my cool that night, but the issue remains the same," Gittelsohn said. "I can appreciate the commission standing behind their referees, but if Brian is going to fight in Hawai'i and Abe Pacheco is going to be the ref, then we don't want to fight in Hawai'i."
Ahlo said boxers can not request to not work with a referee in Hawai'i. He added that Pacheco is still considered the main-event referee in Hawai'i.
"All I'm doing is appealing to the commission," Gittelsohn said. "I'm not trying to bully the commission. I'm just looking out for the best interest of Brian."
Ahlo said the commission will continue to talk to "all parties involved" in the issue in an effort to bring Viloria back to Hawai'i.
