By Ferd Lewis
Advertiser Columnist

Boxer Brian Viloria has pretty much done his part, now it is time for his "team," as he likes to call those in his corner, to do theirs.

When Viloria defeated Gilberto Keb Baas in the 11th round on ESPN2 on Friday, he had largely fulfilled his part of an ambitious program his brain trust had first laid out for him three and a half years ago. In running his record to 15-0 (nine knockouts), he has followed the blueprint up the world flyweight ratings almost punch for punch.

When the 2000 Sydney Olympian from Waipahu signed on with manager Gary Gittelsohn, promoter Lou DiBella and trainer Freddie Roach, the idea and, indeed, the announced hope was to bring him along sufficiently to position a world title fight within four years.

It is a timetable he has done his best to live up to even with a timeout for hand surgery that first year and the separation with DiBella that sidelined him much of last year.

While Viloria isn't personally responsible for who they put in front of him in the ring, he has, with few exceptions, taken care of the business there, climbing to the position of No. 4 World Boxing Association and World Boxing Council 112-pound contender.

He — and his fans — might have liked a couple more knockouts. A lot of us would like to have seen a more accomplished opponent and a couple fewer trial horses by this point. But, for his part, Viloria has been up to the task and rarely disappointed in winning and four times defending his North American Boxing Federation title.

As Viloria relaxes back home this week and ponders his career, now comes the real test of Team Viloria. If he is to fight for a world title within the "six- to eight-month" window that has been promised, this is where the hard work comes.

For while there are four major titles — WBA, WBC, International Boxing Federation (IBF) and World Boxing Organization (WBO), to take aim at, a quick look suggests there are no easy avenues to any of them.

Behind curtain No. 1 is WBO champion Pongsaklek Wonjongkam (51-2, 28 KOs), who rarely fights outside of his native Thailand. Then, there is IBF titlist Irene Pacheco (30-0, 23 KOs), WBO champ Omar Narvaez (16-0, 10 KOs) and WBA king Lorenzo Parra (23-0, 17 KOs). Not a pushover in the bunch. And, there are three lefthanders to contend with.

Getting one of them into a ring with Viloria and having him prepared and primed for the opportunity, that is where his corner will earn its money.

Viloria would like to fight again in August, preferably at Blaisdell Center, where promoter Tom Moffatt has Aug. 21 tentatively reserved. It might be too much, given the quick turnaround, to expect that it be for a world title.

But getting him lined up for a shot at a world title within the next eight months shouldn't be.

Reach Ferd Lewis at flewis@honoluluadvertiser.com or 525-8044.