Rainbows begin long homestand

The Hawaii men's basketball team kicks off an eight-game homestand against Eastern Washington tonight at 7:05 at the Stan Sheriff Center.

The Rainbow Warriors (3-3) look to bounce back from a 10-point road loss at Illinois against an Eagles team (6-2) which has won three straight.

Hawaii is 3-0 in the series, but hasn't played EWU since the Eagles, of the Big Sky Conference, became a Division I program in the mid-1980s. » B5

Viloria tunes up with quick KO

Brian Viloria, a Waipahu native, knocked out Benjamin Garcia in a tuneup bout yesterday at the Alameda Swap Meet in Los Angeles.

Viloria (24-2, 14 KOs) floored Garcia (13-11, 1 KO) in the second round for his fifth straight win. Garcia had not been stopped since 2003 but could not stand up to a fighter who was prepared to meet a world champion.

“;In my mind this was my world title fight,”; Viloria said. “;I am taking this really seriously and want to get back to my true form. That's a style that got me a world title and took me to the Olympics and I think I've got it back.”;

Viloria knocked out Eric Ortiz in 2005 for the World Boxing Council light flyweight belt, but lost it in his second defense. He used last night's bout to prepare for a world title shot against International Boxing Federation light flyweight champion Ulises Solis. Viloria was scheduled to face Solis today in China but the champion suffered a cut over his eye in his last fight and needs more time to heal. Viloria expects to meet Solis early next year.

Team Viloria manager Gary Gittelsohn believes his fighter is ready for Solis, who could beat Michael Carbajal's record of nine title defenses with a win over the Hawaiian Punch.

“;Brian was outstanding,”; Gittelsohn said. “;I have never seen him better and when he fights like this there is no one in his weight class who can stand up to him.”;

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Star-Bulletin staff