Viloria ready
for overdue knockout
against Moreno

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Waipahu flyweight Brian Viloria got into the business of fighting professionally for many reasons.

His amateur record proved he was good at boxing, and his basic love for the sport had much to do with it.

But when the truth comes from deep in his soul, Viloria is in the boxing business because he likes the feeling of knocking out another man.

"A knockout has to show itself," Viloria said. "But when it does, it is a great feeling, almost a relief."

Viloria (10-0, 6 KOs) will try to get that relief again Friday at 4:30 p.m. Hawaii time on ESPN2 against Alejandro Moreno (19-10, 10 KOs) in Uncasville, Conn.

It will be Viloria's second defense of his North American Boxing Federation flyweight title and the co-main event, alongside DaVarryl "Touch of Sleep" Williamson and Robert Wigginson. Viloria's World Boxing Council youth flyweight title will not be on the line.

Viloria says he is itching to get back in the ring because he hasn't felt the "relief" that comes with knocking someone flat since he left Honolulu with a first round KO of Sandro Orlando Oviedo last May. After stopping six opponents in the first 27 rounds of his career, Viloria has hit a stretch where he hasn't even knocked down an opponent in his last 27 rounds.

Viloria has spent his training sessions sparring with world class fighters like Francisco Arce (4-0, 2 KOs), Rosendo Alvarez (31-2-1, 34 KOs) and his father, Ben Viloria.

Viloria's father didn't actually spar, he just showed up in Los Angeles to make sure his son's head was on straight.

"Brian has refocused on boxing," manager Gary Gittelsohn said. "His father showed up and it rekindled something in him. He is looking like the same old terrific Brian we got used to."

Kono and Nino join Pro-Junior event

Stephanie Kono and Kurt Nino will play in the second annual First Hawaiian Bank's Pro-Junior Golf Challenge on Jan. 14.

The event will be held during the week of the Sony Open at Waialae Golf Course.

Kono, a 13-year-old from Punahou, teamed with Fred Couples at last year's event. Nino is a 15-year-old sophomore at Damien.

Hawaii State Junior golfers Michelle Wie, Lehua Wise, Chris Souza and Travis Toyama will also participate.

Aloha Invitational gets global gymnasts

Gymnasts from Hawaii will compete against representatives from the mainland United States, Japan, Australia and Canada at this year's 27th Annual Aloha Gymfest.

The three-day event will be held in the Kailua High School gymnasium starting Jan. 17 at 6 p.m., and will feature 19 teams with athletes ranging from elite level to level four.

Kekina to join all-stars in martial arts show

Hawaii's Jimmy Kekina will join four other martial arts all-stars on Jan. 11 at the Hawaii Convention Center in a demonstration to teach people to turn inner strength into physical power.

Jenny Tang, Coach Wei Qi He, Xu Jun Heng and James Hu are the other demonstrators.