Viloria's fight in Vegas canceled
By Dayton Morinaga
Advertiser Staff Writer
Brian Viloria's winning hands will not even get a chance to play in Las Vegas.
The Waipahu boxer's bout for tomorrow was canceled because of problems with his opponents.
Viloria
"I went through all my training, I passed all my exams and tests; I was ready to go," Viloria said. "To have it fall through at the last minute is a big disappointment."
Viloria was scheduled to face Mexico's Agustin Luna in the main event of a card at the Gold Coast Hotel and Casino. But Luna refused to sign the final contract last week, according to Viloria's manager, Gary Gittelsohn.
"It was all set. We even sent him the (airline) tickets," Gittelsohn said. "But apparently he changed his mind because he didn't want to sign the contract."
Gittelsohn said he contacted two potential replacement opponents, but had difficulties reaching financial terms.
"Brian has developed a reputation and they all want a lot of money to fight him," Gittelsohn said. "On top of that, just about all of the opponents in this weight class are from out of the country, so there's also an immigration process to worry about. It's just very difficult to find an opponent."
Viloria, who fights at 112 pounds, is 15-0 with nine knockouts. He is the North American Boxing Federation (NABF) flyweight champion, and is the No. 2-ranked contender among all flyweights in the World Boxing Organization (WBO). He is also ranked No. 3 in the World Boxing Association (WBA) and World Boxing Council (WBC).
"I'm to the point where I just want to fight, period," said Viloria, 23. "It's frustrating to be physically and mentally prepared for a fight and then find out at the last minute that it's not on."
Viloria said many of his friends and family members planned to attend the fight in Las Vegas.
"I guess that's what makes it more disappointing," he said. "A lot of them had everything booked and now they have to cancel."
Viloria's last bout was an 11th-round knockout of Gilberto Keb Baas on June 4. He has had only two bouts in the last 13 months.
Reach Dayton Morinaga at dmorinaga@honoluluadvertiser.com or 535-8101.
