StarBulletin.com

Viloria prepared for another run


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POSTED: Friday, August 28, 2009

Brian Viloria's been getting some unusual advice from his corner.

“;My camp is telling me I need to eat a little bit,”; Viloria said. “;Or I'm going to be way under weight by the time the weigh-in comes.”;

His improved conditioning is just one of the many changes he hopes will result in a different outcome as he embarks on his second go-around as a world champion.

Viloria (25-2, 15 KOs) will defend the IBF light flyweight title for the first time since knocking out Ulises Solis tomorrow night when he faces Mexico's Jesus Iribe (15-5-5, 9 KOs) in the main event of the Island Assault event at Blaisdell Arena.

The 12-round world title fight is one of eight scheduled bouts for the card that begins at 4:30 p.m.

Viloria broke through for his first world title in 2005, but was only able to successfully defend it once before losing consecutive fights.

After starting over with an entirely new camp and a fresh state of mind, Viloria plans on making this title reign last much longer.

“;All these changes, all the work I've done, it's all for the goal of not only being the champion but staying a champion,”; Viloria said. “;I want to hold onto this title for a long time.”;

Yesterday's news conference was just another in a long list of public appearances on Viloria's schedule since he arrived in Hawaii.

Between promoting the fight and getting in his proper workouts, Viloria's barely had any time to himself.

Surprisingly, that's just the way he likes it.

“;The way I look at it is this is the fun part of being a fighter,”; he said. “;It all comes with the territory.

Boxing is a self-promoting sport. You have to go out there and give fans a reason to support you and come out to the fight. I enjoy it.”;

Three 10-round fights will lead up to the main event, including a welterweight clash between Alfonso Gomez (19-4-2, 9 KOs) and Raul Munoz (20-12-1, 15 KOs).

Gomez was a participant on the NBC show “;The Contender”; and owns a knockout victory over Arturo Gatti. His last loss came against undefeated WBA welterweight champion Miguel Cotto.

Dennis Laurente (31-3-5, 16 KOs) squares off with Zaid Zavaleta (18-5-2, 11 KOs) in a light welterweight tilt and AJ Banal (19-1-1, 16 KOs) fights Jose Angel Beranza (32-15-2, 25 KOs) in a flyweight bout.

Beranza was a late addition after Victor Proa (26-1-2, 19 KOs) pulled out with an injury suffered in training.

Three four-round bouts featuring all local fighters will take place after the main event.