The top contenders in the light-flyweight division will have to wait a little longer for a shot at Waipahu boxer Brian Viloria's championship belt.

Viloria has not been able to spar since February because a broken bone in his right hand is still healing. The injury was diagnosed after he successfully defended his World Boxing Council light-flyweight championship against Jose Antonio Aguirre in February.

"There's been a lot of talk about who's next in line to fight Brian, but quite frankly, we can't listen to any of that or make any plans until Brian resumes his training," said Viloria's manager, Gary Gittelsohn.

Viloria, who is 19-0 with 12 knockouts, won the WBC championship last September with a knockout of Eric Ortiz. The victory over Aguirre was his first title defense.

Negotiations for a potential second title defense against Juanito Rubillar of the Philippines were stopped recently because of Viloria's injury.

Instead, WBC officials said negotiations can begin for a bout between Rubillar (38-9-7) and Thailand's Wandee Singwancha (48-7-1). The winner of that bout is expected to get a shot at Viloria's title.

"We're not even concerned about that yet," Gittelsohn said. "If the WBC orders a bout between Brian and one of those guys, then we'll go by the rules. But until that time comes and until Brian is ready to fight, we can't really say or do anything."

Gittelsohn said he could conceivably set up a non-title "tune-up" bout for Viloria during the summer if the injury continues to hamper his training time. He also said Viloria could move out of the 108-pound division to fight other champions.

Viloria, who trains out of Los Angeles, has been running and swimming for the past month to maintain his conditioning.

"There are a bunch of things in the works, and we'll plan accordingly," Gittelsohn said. "But first things first, and that is we need to get Brian's hand cleared by the doctors."

Reach Dayton Morinaga at dmorinaga@honoluluadvertiser.com.