Viloria ready for anybody — after right hand heals

Brian Viloria, who’s in the country enjoying a short break, yesterday bared before mediamen a long list of his future plans.

First and foremost, he said in a one-hour press conference at Oakwood in Glorietta, is for the Fil-American boxing champion to heal his injured right hand.

Viloria showed up wearing a dark jacket, blue jeans, sneakers and a cast on the hand he fractured in last week’s victory over Mexico’s Jose Antonio Aguirre.

"My immediate plans? Right now it’s just to heal my hand and get out of this cast. I can’t take a shower real well," said the reigning World Boxing Council light flyweight king.

"Then after that I just want to get back in shape, and fight in the next few months," added the 25-year-old who traces his roots to Narvacan, Ilocos Sur.

Viloria said his injury, suffered in the early rounds against Aguirre, is not as bad as the one he had in 2001 when he underwent operation on his right hand after a fight with veteran Ben Escoba.

The 5-foot-4 boxer also known as the "Hawaiin Punch" talked about the possibilities of fighting in New York in June, in Puerto Rico in summer or even here in Manila.

Manny Pacquiao, the people’s champion, is set to fight former world champion (122 lbs) Oscar Larios in Manila probably in June or July, and has plans of having Viloria, undefeated in 18 pro fights, in the undercard. There were also reports that the Pacquiao-Larios has been set in May.

"There are talks about that but it’s not concrete. The last time I talked to Bob Arum (of Top Rank) was about New York under the Miguel Cotto mainer," he said.

"But as soon as my hand heals, hopefully in a week and a half I’ll start preparing myself for anybody, anytime, anywhere. I just have to look over my hand because my hands are my money. If I don’t take care of it, it’s gonna hurt me," Viloria added.

There’s no definite name yet on whom he’s going to face next, and Viloria said it’s up to his promoter (Top Rank) and manager (Gary Gittelsohn) to look for one.

"That’s their job. Then my job is to prepare for it. I just have to prepare and take care of myself correctly," said Viloria, who will visit Ilocos next week before heading back to Los Angeles.

Then the inevitable question: Is he ready for Jorge Arce, the steel-hearted Mexican world champion in the 112 division?

"A couple fights more then probably the end of this year or early next year there might be a big showdown between me and Arce. Our paths are eventually going to collide.

"He (Arce) said he’s moving up to 115 so hopefully before he does that we’ll be in for a big showdown. I’m always prepared for anybody," Viloria said.

Like a true champion, he better be.