CAN VIC SALUDAR SCORE A VICTORY IN JAPAN?
By Rene Bonsubre, Jr.
PhilBoxing.com
Mon, 09 Nov 2015
WBO Asia-Pacific minimumweight champion Vic ?Vicious? Saludar of South Cotabato is headed for a coveted world title shot this December against Japanese phenom and WBO minimumweight champion Kosei Tanaka.
Philboxing editor Dong Secuya had previously reported during his coverage of the 28th WBO convention held in Florida that during the Ratings Committee discussions, it was announced that Saludar is set to for his title challenge on December 31 in Nagoya.
The 25 year old Saludar (11 W (9KO's)-1L) captured his WBO regional belt by TKO in the first round against Rizky Pratama of Indonesia last September 9. He was an amateur standout and a bronze medalist in the 2010 Guangzhou Asian Games.
Tanaka (5-0, 2KO?s) set a new Japanese record for the fewest fights to win the Oriental title when he beat Ryuji Hara last year for the OPBF minimumweight crown. He would go on to set another Japan record ? the shortest route to a world title ? when he acquired the vacant WBO 105 lb division title by beating Mexican Julian Yedras by unanimous decision last May in Aichi, Japan in only his fifth pro fight.
The 20 year old Tanaka will be making his first title defense.
It is a little known fact that Tanaka saw action in the Philippines two years ago. When he was an amateur, Tanaka lost to Jade Bornea in the finals of the the 2013 ASBC Asian Confederation Youth Boxing Championships held in Subic. Bornea, who is a former bronze medalist in the World Youth Championships, edged Tanaka, 15-13, in their light flyweight match. Bornea is also presently fighting as a professional but he has not yet reached the same lofty heights as Tanaka.
Saludar is trained by Benny dela Pe?a, who had a string of success in Japan when he was the trainer of Jess Maca, who held the OPBF bantamweight title in 1998 to 2002 and registered a series of title defenses in the Land of the Rising Sun. Dela Pe?a has also handled current fighters like Jun Doliguez, Drian Francisco and Al Sabaupan.
Saludar had his pro debut in a Pinoy Pride event held at the Solaire Resort and Casino in 2013. Saludar beat Juanito Hondante by first round TKO on the undercard of Merlito Sabillo?s successful WBO minimumwieght title defense against Colombian Jorle Estrada. Sabillo would lose to Mexican Francisco Rodriguez, who would vacate the title.
Katsunari Takayama of Japan would win the vacant crown but the title was vacated again this year paving the way for Tanaka?s historic win.
Last July, Saludar fought on another Pinoy Pride undercard in Cebu City and he stopped Michael Kaibigan in four rounds (top photo). This fight card was headlined by Donnie Nietes retaining his WBO light flyweight title against Francisco Rodriguez.
Saludar?s only loss was in his third pro fight when he injured his hand against Powell Balaba in Cagayan de Oro City.
Can Saludar make the most of this golden opportunity and give the Philippines another world title by year?s end?
Kosei Tanaka winning a silver during the 2013 Asian Youth Boxing championship held in Subic, losing to Filipino Jade Bornea.
Click here to view a list of other articles written by Rene Bonsubre, Jr..
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