Wednesday, May 9, 2001

State Boxing
Commission approves
Salud fight card

But two fights, including
Viloria's first pro bout,
are still under review

By Paul Arnett
Star-Bulletin

All five fights on next Tuesday's nationally televised card at the Hawaii Convention Center were approved yesterday at the State Boxing Commission meeting.

Two of the bouts, including the pro debut for Waipahu's Brian Viloria, still need signed contracts for the commission to review. But, barring some unforeseen circumstances at next Monday's commission meeting, the Tom Moffatt-promoted card is good to go.

"We're glad to get that done," Moffatt said. "Brian will be here on Thursday. He's facing a stand-up guy (Ben Jun Escobia). Hopefully, this will be the start of another great boxing era for Hawaii."

Viloria said Monday night that he wanted to get any and all press conferences over with as quickly as possible so he can concentrate on the fight. He will continue to train hard through the weekend, then taper down as Tuesday approaches.

"I want to start focusing on the fight as quickly as I can," Viloria said. "I'll do some training in Kalakaua Gym. I feel good. This is a great chance for people around the country to see there are good fighters and fight fans here in Hawaii."

The card begins with a scheduled 10-round junior middleweight championship bout between Ann Wolfe of Austin, Texas, and Vienna Williams of Philadelphia. Williams has won all five of her fights, two by knockout. Wolfe is 6-1 with four KOs.

Although ESPN2 officials have yet to tell Moffatt the order of the bouts, it's likely Viloria will climb through the ropes a little before 4 p.m. After his scheduled four-round bout with Escobia, who is 13-13-3 with five knockouts, the main event between Jesus Salud and Fernando "Bobby Boy'' Velardez will begin.

The card, scheduled for two hours, will be shown live on the neighbor islands, but could be blacked out on Oahu until a later date.

"If it's a sellout by the weekend, then we'll show it here live," Moffatt said. "But you know how fans are here, they wait to the last minute.''

The room where it's being held in the convention center seats about 4,000. Ticket prices range from $25 to $100 for ringside.

If this card draws well, it's likely ESPN will consider broadcasting more fights in Hawaii in the future.