By Ferd Lewis
Advertiser Columnist

"Ghosts" is what Gary Gittelsohn, manager of world light flyweight contender Brian Viloria, has quietly come to call them.

Others know them as unshakable guilt or enduring doubts, the kind of demons that can haunt a boxer unable to come to terms with the tragedy of having an opponent who has been seriously injured or died in the ring.

Super featherweight champion Gabriel Ruelas became the textbook example of a fighter whose career was destroyed by "ghosts" after he said he was confronted by images of Jimmy Garcia, who died following their World Boxing Council title bout.

Ten years to the month after Garcia's death, what was supposed to be a routine tuneup for Viloria in Los Angeles turned to tragedy last month when Ruben Contreras underwent emergency brain surgery following a sixth-round technical knockout loss.

Now, even as the Olympian from Waipahu regularly checks on the status of Contreras, who was listed as "stable" following discharge to a rehabilitation facility last week, Viloria's own so-far-so-good condition is watched closely.

What would have been routine sparring sessions have taken on greater scrutiny for Viloria as he prepares for the July 30 World Boxing Council title fight in Las Vegas.

It isn't the jab of the Viloria that is under scrutiny as he prepares for Eric Ortiz (24-4) as much as his ability to keep dispatching the "ghosts."

In some ways they could have been the toughest opponents Viloria has confronted in an otherwise smooth-flowing 17-0 pro career. Viloria, who for all the fistic fury he is capable of is a compassionate, religious man. For one so accomplished in the "hurt" business, he is also remarkably sensitive to the point his corner has had to implore him to summon a "killer instinct" and finish off foes.

"It was unfortunate what happened, but I know I did my job," Viloria said. "I have to reconcile myself with what happened. I've told myself, 'this is the sport of boxing and this is how the sport is.'

"When the time came to get back in (sparring), I was actually excited about it," Viloria said. "I can't think about what happened anymore. I have to think about my next fight."

"We've analyzed it six ways to Sunday and there is nothing Brian could have done," Gittelsohn said. "He knows that. I just hope Brian understands that he really needs to be aggressive in this next contest because he has a world champion in front of him."

And, hopefully, the "ghosts" behind him.

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