Viloria fighting in Mexico next week

Brian Viloria's busy 2008 will continue with his third fight already this year.

The former WBC world light flyweight champion will take on Marino Montiel a week from today in Aguascalientes, Mexico, on the undercard of a Top Rank pay-per-view event featuring Jorge Arce and Julio Caesar Chavez Jr. It will be Viloria's first professional fight outside of the United States.

Viloria (21-2) hasn't fought more than three times in a year since '02, but manager Gary Gittelsohn says it's part of his plan to get him a world title fight by December.

"My intention with Brian is to get him a lot of work this year to keep him busy at least every two months," Gittelsohn said. "After this fight, I'll know where he is on that development scale. If I feel he's now ready to move into a world title opportunity, we'll do that."

Viloria's fight with Montiel will be at a catch weight of 112 to 113 pounds. He's weighed in at 111 1/2 and 115 1/2 for his fights earlier this year, both eight-round, unanimous-decision victories.

Montiel (30-12-1) generally fights at weights heavier than Viloria, but Gittelsohn says it's the appropriate opponent for Viloria at this time.

"I've seen (Montiel) fight before and I know we have (Viloria) in with a durable guy that will give him rounds," Gittelsohn said. "I'm hoping he'll give him at least six to 10 hard rounds."