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Wednesday, October 4, 2000

Viloria ponders
boxing future

Some of his many options
include signing with promoter
Bob Arum and fighting
more in Hawaii

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By Pat Bigold
Star-Bulletin

Brian Viloria said last night that Bob Arum of Top Rank Boxing is proposing to sign him and let him fight in Honolulu.

"Right now it sounds good going with Bob Arum because they really do want me to stay in Hawaii," said Viloria who returned from Sydney Monday night.

"They said they could take their equipment for TV fights here and try to build up boxing in Hawaii," said the 19-year-old world amateur light featherweight champion.

Viloria said Arum was going to call him today with details of the proposal.

Boxing professionally from his home base has long been Viloria's dream.

Asked if he might even be able to get a title shot in Honolulu down the road, Viloria said he believes that's possible with Arum.

But he made it clear he hasn't decided anything yet about going pro.

"There are a lot more calls coming in," he said.

"Even HBO said to my father that they would send some of their crew to Hawaii and tape my fights here."

Viloria said he's been contacted by a total of four pro boxing outfits since he his upset loss to France's Brahim Asloum in the second round of the Olympics.

He said after the loss that he was considering enrolling at the University of Hawaii. Last night he said he will do that, whether or not he signs a pro contract.

He emphasized that going back to college was high on his list of priorities.

Viloria was enrolled at Northern Michigan University prior to the Olympics but lost a lot of class time due to training.

Viloria said that he still hasn't ruled out a shot at gold in Athens.

"If none of the proposals seem to go my way, then I'll probably plan on another four years (as an amateur)," said Viloria.

"But that's only if my options are not good."