Viloria returns to ring

By Dayton Morinaga
Advertiser Staff Writer

"I can't wait to get back in the ring," Waipahu's Brian Viloria says. Advertiser library photo

Viloria will take on Mexico's Juan Alfonso Keb Baas in the main event of ESPN2's Friday Night Fights.

Viloria's North American Boxing Federation (NABF) flyweight (112 pounds) championship will be on the line. The card will take place at the Mohegan Sun Resort and Casino in Uncasville, Conn. ESPN2 coverage is scheduled to begin at 4 p.m. (Hawai'i time), with Viloria's bout around 5 p.m.

"I can't wait to get back in the ring," said Viloria, 23. "It's been a tough couple of months. I just want to get back to boxing."

In part because of a dispute with promoter Lou DiBella, Viloria has not boxed since July 22.

The Viloria camp severed ties with DiBella Entertainment in November.

Friday's card is being promoted by Sugar Ray Leonard Boxing. Leonard — the former boxing great — is interested in signing a deal to promote Viloria, according to Viloria's manager Gary Gittelsohn.

"There's an offer on the table," Gittelsohn said. "It'll depend on this fight."

That's not all. Gittelsohn said a potential world championship bout could also be riding on Friday's outcome.

"If Brian does what I hope he will do and takes care of business, then we'll look at getting him a title shot, possibly as early as the next fight," Gittelsohn said.

It won't be easy. Keb Baas is 30-9-2 and fought for various world titles earlier in his career.

"He's been in the ring with the very best in the world," Gittelsohn said.

However, Keb Baas is 33 and went 0-3-1 in 2003.

Viloria is 13-0 with eight knockouts. He fought only three times in 2003, going a total of 21 rounds.

"I've learned a lot about professional boxing outside of the ring lately," he said. "Now I'm just fired up to show what I have inside the ring."

Reach Dayton Morinaga at dmorinaga@honoluluadvertiser.com or 535-8101.