Viloria splits
with DiBellaThe Waipahu flyweight is
looking for a new promoter
Brian Viloria has spent his entire life trying to master winning battles in the ring.
Now, he believes he has won his first battle outside of it.
Promoter Lou DiBella released the Waipahu flyweight from his contract this week, allowing him to shop his services to the highest bidder. Viloria and manager Gary Gittelsohn, who count DiBella as a friend, say Viloria needed to move on because of a lack of television exposure.
"I'm just glad this is over. It is bittersweet because we have had a pretty good relationship," Viloria said. "I hope I never have to go through this again. As much as you want to be a good guy, you have to do what you have to do."
Viloria signed with DiBella two years ago expecting the promoter to use his ties with Home Box Office to get him on the network. He has appeared on ESPN, but never on HBO.
"Clearly DiBella used his resources to get Brian to a certain point," Gittelsohn said. "But now Brian needs a promoter with the additional resources who can help him make a run at a world title next year."
Together, DiBella and Gittelsohn have helped Viloria (13-0, 8 KOs) earn two titles and brought him to Hawaii to fight three times in his two-year professional career.
"I think he's a great kid and I wish the best for him," DiBella said. "In my heart I know I did my best for Brian, he is in a good place now."
Gittelsohn says that he is in "serious negotiations" with a new promoter already but is still fielding calls from other interested companies.
One thing is for sure, whoever signs Viloria will be required to bring him to Hawaii to fight at least once a year.
Gittelsohn will not guess when he will have something signed for his fighter, but says that Viloria will certainly be back in the ring by January to defend his North American Boxing Federation title. He needs to defend it at that time or risk having it taken away from him.
Viloria, who is ranked No. 4 by the World Boxing Council, has been inactive for four months while fighting his battle with the promoter. He says that although he is anxious to return to the ring, the layoff has not set him back as much as some might think. He has been sparring with world champions and helped featherweight world champion Manny Pacquiao prepare for his 11th-round technical knockout of Marco Antonio Barrera on Nov. 15.
"I have been taking all of my stresses out on him," Viloria, who celebrated his 23rd birthday yesterday, said.
