Viloria confirms fracture

World Boxing Council (WBC) lightflyweight champion Brian Viloria said yesterday he suffered a hairline fracture in the fourth metacarpal of his right hand during his recent title defense against Jose Antonio Aguirre in Las Vegas.

Viloria was examined by orthopedic surgeon Dr. David Kulber at the Cedar Sinai Hospital in Los Angeles last Wednesday after complaining of pain in his swollen right hand.

It was also Dr. Kulber who operated on Viloria’s right hand in 2001. Viloria broke the fifth metacarpal in his hand after outpointing Filipino Ben Escobia in Honolulu in his pro debut.

"I’m relieved that it’s only a slight fracture and no operation is necessary," said Viloria. "I’m now wearing a cast covering half of my forearm up to my knuckles. The fracture is on the bone in the palm between the ring finger and the pinkie. The cast will be removed in two or three weeks then Dr. Kulber will determine when I can go back to the gym."

Viloria was accompanied by his father Ben to the hospital.

Viloria said the surgery in 2001 put him in cold storage for three months. But he was back in the ring a month after the layoff to knock out Kenny Berrios in San Francisco.

Viloria said he hurt his right hand in the third or fourth round of his 12-round brawl with Aguirre last Saturday.

"I hit him on top of his head which was really hard," said Viloria. "I felt the pain immediately but I kept on fighting. I didn’t want Aguirre to think I was hurt. Each time I turned my right hand for a punch, I felt the pain shoot up. I just didn’t think about it. I fought with pain. I did what I had to do to win."

Viloria had knocked out his four previous opponents and oddsmakers predicted another win inside the distance at Aguirre’s expense. But the Mexican challenger proved a tough nut to crack and Viloria’s hairline fracture didn’t help. Still, Viloria won on a convincing unanimous 12-round decision.

With the revelation of his fracture, Viloria gained even more respect from critics for his fighting heart.

Viloria declined to divulge details of his purse in the Aguirre fight but a source said it was between $50,000 to $100,000.

Viloria leaves Los Angeles, where he now lives, for Osaka tomorrow to be at ringside for his friend and Sydney Olympic teammate Jose Navarro’s bout against WBC superflyweight champion Masamori Tokuyama on Monday. Then he flies to Manila on Tuesday or Wednesday for a two-week visit.

In 2003, Viloria also hurt his right hand in pounding out a win on points over Alejandro Moreno in Connecticut. He was examined by Dr. Kulber but X-rays revealed no fracture.

Viloria’s manager Gary Gittelsohn said the other day Top Rank promoter Bob Arum is considering a slot for the Hawaiian Punch in the undercard of a Miguel Cotto main event at Madison Square Garden in New York on June 10.

Gittelsohn said if the New York date fails to materialize, Viloria may fight in the same card as World Boxing Organization minimumweight champion Ivan Calderon in Puerto Rico this summer to set the stage for a later duel. He added that a Manila fight is possible before the year ends.