The biggest question looming over Brian Viloria's homecoming bout has less to do with what happens in the Blaisdell Center ring Aug. 29 than outside of it.

There is little doubt that Viloria should take care of business inside the ropes, where he defends his International Boxing Federation light flyweight title against underdog Jesus Iribe of Mexico.

But the more intriguing issue is: What kind of a crowd can the former Waipahu Olympian pull in as paying witness to the hostilities?

It has been ages since boxing commanded much of a following at Blaisdell, which was once — well, from the 1960s to early 1980s, anyway — a bustling home for the sport.

Now Mixed Martial Arts is the undisputed king at the corner of Kapiolani Boulevard and Ward Avenue and everywhere else as last night's UFC 101 and the spotlight that BJ Penn merits underlines. Boxing is but a memory here. A distant, fading one at that.

As such, nobody should suppose that one bout or one man is going to change that anytime soon. But the question is: Can Viloria, for one night, at least, bring a crowd back?

Maybe not approaching the level of Domi Manalang, Ben Villaflor or Andy Ganigan, who all packed the place for big fights, but enough to put a respectable 5,000 into it with the buzz they'd bring.

That was certainly the hope when Viloria turned pro after the Sydney Olympics. If anyone could bring a flicker of excitement to local boxing, it was expected to be Viloria, a popular and articulate pro prospect with punch and a championship future.

But neither his 2001 debut at the Convention Center nor the two subsequent backyard appearances at Blaisdell or the Sheraton Waikiki have drawn outstandingly well. Only one has lured more than 1,500 and none have topped $80,000 in box office receipts, according to records of the Hawai'i State Boxing Commission.

Now, eight years into Viloria's career and six years since he last fought here, the stage would seem to be set for something bigger and better for the 28-year-old.

His 25-1 (15 knockouts) record is glossy and his name, from all the TV appearances, is well established. The title bout Viloria comes toting adds considerable luster to the occasion. Perhaps even enough to entice a sizeable turnout when the cheapest announced price for a seat is $35.

Viloria is favored to handle Iribe (15-5-5), his championship punching power less of a question at this point than his drawing power.