Viloria pounds out victory

Advertiser Staff and News Services

Brian Viloria lands a right hook against Juan Alfonso Keb-Baas of Mexico in their bout at Uncasville, Conn. Associated Press

Viloria (14-0) scored the only two knockdowns in the 12-round fight in round eight. All three judges scored it 119-107.

"I got a little anxious after the knockdowns," Viloria said. "I didn't put combinations together like I should have or else I might have gotten him out of there earlier in the fight. I didn't want to get tagged or get careless in the later rounds."

Viloria heated up early, landing a good counter left late in the second round. He followed up with a flurry of punches, but failed to wobble Keb-Baas (30-10-1).

In the eighth round, Viloria scored his first knockdown with a left hook that put Mexico's Keb-Baas into the ropes. He also landed a right in the final seconds of the round that forced Keb-Baas to one knee.

In Round 9, Keb-Baas threw his first real good flurry of combinations, catching Viloria with two hard shots to the head. But Viloria continued to land the harder blows.

"We'll probably get him another fight in late April or early May, and we're looking at returning to Hawai'i for a fight this year," said Viloria's manager Gary Gittelsohn. "And before the end of the year, we're looking at fighting for a world title."

In part because of a dispute with former promoter Lou DiBella, Viloria had not fought since July. Legendary boxer Sugar Ray Leonard promoted last night's card, and is expected to sign a deal with Viloria within the next month.

The Associated Press and Advertiser staff writer Dayton Morinaga contributed to this report.