MR. VILORIA GOES TO WASHINGTON

16.05 - In his short time as a professional, former 2000 US Olympian Brian Viloria has made quite an impact on those in the boxing world. It also seems as if the President of the United States, George W. Bush, has been paying attention, as he has invited the NABF flyweight champion to a State Dinner honoring Phillipine President Gloria Macapagal-Arroyo on Monday, May 19, to be held at The White House. (see invitation)

"This is an exciting moment for me," said Viloria, a Hawaii native now making his home in Los Angeles. "I'm a little nervous, but I guess that's natural before something like this. I'll be fine on Monday."

Dinner with the President and Mrs Bush kicks off a busy week for the unbeaten (12-0, 7 KOs) Viloria, who will then travel to Vancouver, Canada on May 21 for the North American Boxing Federation (NABF) convention, where he will be honored as the organization's 2003 Champion of the Year. "The Hawaiian Punch" won his NABF crown in August of 2002 with a 12 round decision over Javier Lagos, and defended it twice before the year was out. In his last bout, a non-title affair, Viloria stopped Valentin Leon in eight rounds on April 15.