LIHU‘E — Brian Viloria, nicknamed The Hawaiian Punch, got to meet Marie Cassel, the owner and chief chef of Sweet Marie’s, Friday. Dennis Esaki, representing Gov. Neil Abercrombie and Lt. Gov. Brian Schatz, announced during the Kaua‘i Chamber of Commerce
LIHU‘E — Brian Viloria, nicknamed The Hawaiian Punch, got to meet Marie Cassel, the owner and chief chef of Sweet Marie’s, Friday.
Dennis Esaki, representing Gov. Neil Abercrombie and Lt. Gov. Brian Schatz, announced during the Kaua‘i Chamber of Commerce Business Before Hours Friday was Brian Viloria Day, a time to celebrate the accomplishments and achievements of the Waipahu-born Viloria who is married to the former Erica Navarro of Kaua‘i.
Home for a visit, Viloria and his family were part of the celebration where more than 80 community leaders and business representatives applauded.
Esaki, in reading the proclamation, said Viloria is the first Filipino-American Olympic boxer from the state. Currently, Viloria is the reigning WBO Flyweight Champion and former WBC Light Flyweight and IBF Junior Flyweight Champion.
His most recent world title came July 16, 2011 at the Neil S. Blaisdell Center, where he earned the belt by scoring a 12-round unanimous decision over a hard-hitting Mexican champion, Julio Cesar “Pingo” Miranda, before an approving hometown crowd on O‘ahu.
Prior to the third crown, Viloria marked a milestone in 2005 when he knocked out Eric Ortiz in the first round to win the WBC Light Flyweight Championship.
He superseded his legacy as a Junior Flyweight fighter when he moved back to that weight class, and on Apr. 19, 2009, turned in one of his best boxing career performances in earning the IBF Flyweight Championship by winning the Mexican Junior Flyweight Champion, Ulises “Archie” Solis.
Viloria’s climb started in 1995 when he was a National Jr. Olympics Gold Medalist, repeating that reign in 1996.
In 1997 and 1998, Viloria earned the National Amateur Championships, Bronze Medalist, attaining the National Amateur Championships Gold Medalist honor in 1998 and the National Golden Gloves Light Flyweight Gold Medalist in 1999.
In that year, he also earned the World Amateur Championships Gold Medalist honor and was named the USA Boxer of the year, moving on to become part of the U.S. Olympic Boxing Team in 2000.
Viloria was home for a short family visit before returning to O‘ahu.
