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ASSOCIATED PRESS
Flyweight boxer Brian Viloria worked out in front of the media in New York on Tuesday.
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Four-time world champion Brian Viloria will challenge Ukraine’s Artem Dalakian for the vacant WBA flyweight world title on Feb. 24 at the Forum in Los Angeles.
Tom Loeffler of 360 Promotions announced the fight Friday, pitting Viloria (38-5, 22 KOs) against the undefeated Dalakian, who has won by knockout in 11 of his 15 pro fights.
“Brian is attempting to become a world champion for a fifth time and has long been one of Southern California’s most popular fighters, while Dalakian is undefeated and hungry for his first world title,” Loeffler said in a press release.
Dalakian is ranked No. 9 in the division and Viloria No. 10 by Ring Magazine.
Viloria, 37, has won six of his past seven and 12 of his past 14 fights. He suffered a TKO loss in 2015 to Roman Gonzalez, who at the time was regarded as the No. 1 pound-for-pound fighter in the world.
Viloria has previously won two junior flyweight and two flyweight world titles.
“I’ve worked very hard to earn this shot for a fifth world title and I’m not going to let it slip away,” Viloria said in the press release. “I won my first world title in Los Angeles (in 2005) and I couldn’t be more excited to be back home to fight for the WBA flyweight world championship in front of my friends, family and supportive fans.”
The fight will take place during an event titled “Superfly 2” but will not be broadcast on HBO.
WBC super flyweight world champion Srisaket Sor Rungvisai (43-4-1, 39 KOs) will defend his title against Juan Francisco Estrada (36-2, 25 KOs) in the main event. Viloria lost his WBA and WBO flyweight titles to Estrada in a split decision in Macau, China, in 2013.
