Viloria’s fight canceled

Waipahu flyweight Brian Viloria's fight today in Las Vegas has been canceled after a parade of opponents backed out.

Viloria was scheduled to headline a card at the Gold Coast Hotel and Casino, but his potential opponent, Agustin Luna, refused to signÊa contract.

That sent Team Viloria manager Gary Gittelsohn scrambling to find a suitable opponent for the fighter ranked No. 3 by the World Boxing Council, but that proved impossible given the time constraints.

"Yeah, it's disappointing but it happens in this sport," said Viloria, who is 15-0 with nine knockouts.

The problems with Viloria's debut in Vegas began the way they do with his other fights that have been canceled.

Gittelsohn said that Luna's handlers agreed to the fight but backed out last week, asking for more money. Viloria gave him the increase, but Luna refused to sign the contract, saying that he didn't want to fight Viloria after all.

Gittelsohn had less than a week to find an opponent and thought he found a credible one, only to have the Nevada State Athletic Commission call the fight unfair.

"We just ran out of time," Gittelsohn said.

"Literally we went all over the world to find someone who is 112 pounds and can stand in a ring with Brian,"he added, "There aren't many of those out there."

Although he hasn't fought in three months, Viloria did not lose any ground as far as the champions of his division are concerned. Irene Pacheco was supposed to fight in ESPN's final card of the year tomorrow but had that fight canceled by the weather.

Viloria has canceled his customary post-fight trip back to Honolulu and will climb back into the gym, hoping for a fight within the next two weeks. He has fought only twice in the past year.

"I have been really training hard," Viloria said when asked if his inactivity was causing him to fall behind.

"I spar with world champions, and although there is nothing like stepping into a ring for a real fight, I get enough experience in the gym."