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Sports Watch

By Bill Kwon

Tuesday, June 27, 2000

‘Golden boy’ kicking
back in Waipahu

FOR Brian Viloria, there's no place like home in Waipahu. A few months from now, his home will be in the ring as he tries to win a boxing gold medal for the USA in the 2000 Summer Games in Sydney.

It's the Olympic moment he has been waiting for, and he hopes that his parents -- Ben and Rosemarie -- can share it with him.

Right now, Viloria is home, taking a three-week break from training with the U.S. boxing team in Colorado Springs.

He's the guest of honor at a number of fund-raising banquets hosted by community supporters to send the Viloria family to Australia.

Ben Viloria has taken a leave of absence from his job as a certified nurse at the Hyatt Regency Waikiki in order to go to the Olympics.

"It's so that I can enjoy the moment," he said.

"It would mean a lot to them. And to me to have them there," Brian added.

A trim, 106-pound fighting machine, Viloria isn't worried about putting on weight with all of the banquets at night and plate lunches -- especially from L&L Drive-Inn and Zippy's.

He is, after all, a real local boy. You know, two scoops rice with macaroni salad.

"I'm planning to gain weight, spoil myself," said Viloria, America's top gold medal boxing hope. "It'll give me something to burn off."

Not to worry folks. Even with all the chicken katsu plate lunches Viloria expects to eat before leaving July 10, he figures the most he'll gain will be 5 or 6 pounds.

Jogging five miles every morning burns up the calories. He also goes to the gym to work out and keep sharp.

Viloria's greatest moment still awaits him, but right now he's a media darling, amateur boxing's latest "golden boy."

He did a photo shoot for Sports Illustrated back in Colorado Springs. They body-painted him in gold, took him atop the U.S. Olympic training center roof and posed him with the Rockies in the background.

Viloria figures his photo -- which should be spectacular -- will be in SI's special Olympic issue. That he was the only boxer selected was significant.

The following day was a photo shoot with Teen People magazine. No gold body paint this time.

LAST Thursday he spent the entire day with a camera crew from NBC, filming what amounted to a "Day in the Life of Brian Viloria," which will be shown when the national network promotes its coverage of the Olympics.

They showed up at his Waipahu home on Nalii Street, chatting with his folks and sister, Roxanne, and messing around with his brother, Gaylord, doing battle in a Sega Dreamcast boxing video game.

School's out, so the day didn't include a trip to Waipahu High School where Viloria (class of 1998) graduated.

Kalakaua Gym and a session with a punching bag was next on the schedule, then lunch at Rainbow Drive-Inn. A plate lunch, of course.

Filming Viloria longboarding in the surf at Waikiki took most of the early afternoon. The long day finally ended with an extensive interview session at Kapiolani Park.

"It's been cool. I'm enjoying it," Viloria said about all of the recent publicity gigs.

Viloria's not only poised and sharp in a boxing ring. He's poised in oral skills as well and a great interview.

Attributes that should take him far in the world of boxing once he turns pro. First, there's the Olympics and a matter of winning a gold medal.

Those interested in contributing to the "Vilorias to Sydney, Australia'' fund can send checks to 1431 S. Beretania St., Honolulu, HI 96814.