Viloria on ESPN2 fight card June 4
By Dayton Morinaga
Advertiser Staff Writer
Waipahu boxer Brian Viloria will fight in Tucson, Ariz., on June 4 in the latest of his so-called "step up" bouts.
This time, however, Viloria believes it could be the last step before a world championship bout.
Viloria, 23, will defend his North American Boxing Federation (NABF) flyweight championship against Gilberto Keb Baas in the main event of ESPN2's "Friday Night Fights" on June 4. The card, which will be staged at the Desert Diamond Casino, will be televised live starting at 3 p.m. (Hawai'i time).
"I know it's been talked about before, but I'm looking at this fight as a big one," Viloria said. "I think if I have a good showing, I'll be ready for a (world) championship fight. HBO has been in contact with us, and I'm really anxious to get something like that going."
Viloria is 14-0 with eight knockouts as a professional. Keb Baas, who is from Mexico, is 22-10-1.
In his last bout, Viloria defeated Juan Alfonso Keb Baas — Gilberto's brother — in a 12-round unanimous decision in February.
"They have similar styles," Viloria said of the brothers. "But I think (Gilberto) is more durable and so that's going to make this one of my toughest fights because (Juan Alfonso) was pretty durable himself."
In 2000, Gilberto Keb Baas lost a unanimous decision to Eric Morel for the World Boxing Association flyweight championship.
"I know this guy is tested," Viloria said. "He's been in the ring with world champions before, and that means a lot. I can't overlook him."
Viloria will leave his Los Angeles training base for Arizona this weekend. Viloria's head trainer, Freddie Roach, will be setting up a training camp for Mike Tyson in Arizona next week, and is taking Viloria along.
"I'll do my final preparations for this fight in Arizona," Viloria said. "But it won't be anything heavy. I'm not even sure if I'll be training at the same time as (Tyson), but it'll be in the same place. And once my fight is over, I'll head back (to Los Angeles)."
Legendary boxer Sugar Ray Leonard is promoting the June 4 card, but Viloria remains without a promoter.
"There are still a lot of issues that need to be resolved," Viloria said. "But a good fight for me can only help my situation."
Reach Dayton Morinaga at dmorinaga@honoluluadvertiser.com or 535-8101.
