Salas open to work with Pinoys
By Joaquin Henson
PhilBoxing.com
Sun, 12 May 2019
Ismael Salas.
The Cuban coach, who produced two Thai Olympic gold medalists and six Thai world pro champions, is willing to work with ABAP boxers, aware of the talent potential of Filipino fighters both in the amateur and paid ranks.
Ismael Salas, 61, is a coaching legend in boxing circles. He churned out four Olympic gold medalists for Cuba and two more for Thailand and has trained over 20 world pro titlists, including Danny Green of Australia, Kazuto Ioka of Japan, Saen Sor Ploenchit of Thailand, Jorge Linares of Venezuela, Guillermo Rigondeaux of Cuba, David Haye of England, Jessie Vargas of the US, Beibut Shumenov of Kazakhstan and the Filipino Flash Nonito Donaire, Jr.
Today, two of his prized prot?g?s are unbeaten superwelterweight Fahad Al Thani of Qatar and welterweight Brian Mendoza, an American of Cuban descent. Al Thani, 31, has a 10-0 record with 10 KOs, and nine of his fights were held in Spain. Mendoza, 25, totes a 17-0 record with 12 KOs and last Saturday, blasted Carlos Rodriguez into submission with a body shot in the second round in the Jerwin Ancajas-Ryuichi Funai undercard at the Stockton Arena.
?I?m willing to work with Filipino fighters, amateur or pro,? said Salas. ?I?ve trained fighters of different nationalities and lived in many countries. I know about Filipinos and the Philippines. I?ve worked with Nonito whom I consider to be not only a Hall of Fame fighter but also a class guy in and out of the ring. He?s very respectful, knowledgeable and well-read.?
Salas said if ABAP is serious about tapping his services, whether short or long term, he?s ready to discuss terms. He?s based in Las Vegas but has lived in Thailand, Japan, England and Qatar among others. Salas said he still has a house in Thailand where his three children and his Thai former wife live. He has now been married to a Japanese lady Kotomi for over 10 years and they have a son.
The former WBA two-time Trainer of the Year predicted before the Ancajas-Funai bout, the Filipino would retain his IBF superflyweight title. ?Japanese fighters are tough, they never give up but their style is usually the same,? he said. ?They like to fight in a straight line, either forward or backward. If you use side-to-side movement against them, they?re in trouble. I like Ancajas? chances to win.? Salas? analysis was right on the money. Funai was an easy target for Ancajas and only his heart kept him on his feet. Referee Edward Collantes, on ringside physician Dr. Gary Furness? advice, stopped the fight in the seventh round.
Salas said he enjoyed living in London while training Haye. ?It was a challenge,? he said. ?Doing mitts with David left me with a busted hand and elbow. And since he was so tall, I wore high platform shoes when we did mitts.? The 6-3 Haye was a former WBC/WBA/WBO cruiserweight and WBA heavyweight champion. He retired last year after losing his second straight fight with Tony Bellew by knockout.
Salas fought as an amateur and compiled a 46-5 record from 1971 to 1978. At 21, he decided to embark on a coaching career. Salas was the Cuban national coach from 1983 to 1989 then was hired by AIBA president Anwar Chowdhury to train Pakistan fighters. ?I?ve been to Manila and I remember visiting Mayor (Mel) Lopez and his son Manny in their home when I was with the Pakistan boxing team,? said Salas. ?Perhaps, someday, I will be given the opportunity to work with Filipino boxers.?
Click here to view a list of other articles written by Joaquin Henson.
Recent PhilBoxing.com In-House articles:
Filipino FIDE Master Mario Mangubat is the new FIDE World Senior 65 over category Rapid Champion
Sun, 24 Nov 2024Thunderdome 48 - Jude Grant vs Fano Kori
Sun, 24 Nov 2024World Boxing backs plan to create a new Confederation in Asia
Sun, 24 Nov 2024The message is clear – Asian Boxing Confederation remains united with the IBA
Sun, 24 Nov 2024OSCAR DE LA HOYA FOUNDATION HOSTS 25TH ANNUAL TURKEY GIVEAWAY FOR EAST LOS ANGELES COMMUNITY
Sun, 24 Nov 2024Life vs. Death: The Ultimate Ringside Showdown Immortalized in Pierce Egan’s Boxiana
By Emmanuel Rivera, RRT, Sat, 23 Nov 2024SPORTS SHORTS 284: TEAM MARK MAGSAYO CONFIRMS RETURN TO THE RING ON DECEMBER 14
By Maloney L. Samaco, Sat, 23 Nov 2024RJP Boxing promotes in Bucana on Dec. 17
By Lito delos Reyes, Sat, 23 Nov 2024Good Prospects at Minimumweight, Light Fly, Super Bantam and Super Feather in 2025
By Teodoro Medina Reynoso, Sat, 23 Nov 2024Filipino International Master Chito Danilo Garma is the new World Senior Blitz champion; Filipino FIDE Master Mario Mangubat takes the bronze medal
By Marlon Bernardino, Sat, 23 Nov 2024KAMBOSOS JR SIGNS CO-PROMOTIONAL DEAL WITH MATCHROOM
Sat, 23 Nov 2024INTERNATIONAL BOXING HALL OF FAME TO ANNOUNCE CLASS OF 2025 ON THURSDAY, DECEMBER 5th
Sat, 23 Nov 2024Ring Master promotes in Calinan on Dec. 21
By Lito delos Reyes, Fri, 22 Nov 2024NP Bansalan boxing team in Matalam
By Lito delos Reyes, Fri, 22 Nov 2024New York, Minnesota Biggest Trade Gainers; Los Angeles Has the Rookie Draft Steal
By Teodoro Medina Reynoso, Fri, 22 Nov 2024