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:
Villanueva to fight Antaran on April 27 in Gensan
By Lito delos Reyes, Sun, 20 Apr 2025MASOUD AND MCGRAIL CLASH IN ALL-BRITISH SHOWDOWN
Sun, 20 Apr 2025Semifinals Conclude at 2025 USA Boxing International Open
Sun, 20 Apr 2025FM Arca is inching closer to his 3rd and final IM norm
By Marlon Bernardino, Sun, 20 Apr 2025Weigh-In Results: Fundora and Conwell Ready for Golden Boy Fight Night in Oceanside
Sat, 19 Apr 2025Undefeated, rising Canadian prospect Eric Basran wins in Opening round to advance to quarterfinals of inaugural Riyadh Season/WBC Boxing Grand Prix in Saudi Arabia
Sat, 19 Apr 2025WEIGHTS FROM LONG BEACH
Sat, 19 Apr 2025Weights From Washington, PA
Sat, 19 Apr 2025Jerald Into Advances in WBC Boxing Grand Prix with Dominant Win Over Ahmad Jones
Sat, 19 Apr 2025Press Conference Notes: Keyshawn Davis Set for Homecoming Title Defense against Edwin De Los Santos at Norfolk's Scope Arena
Sat, 19 Apr 2025JAKE PAUL vs JULIO CESAR CHAVEZ JR / ZURDO RAMIREZ vs YUNIEL DORTICOS JUNE 28 in ANAHEIM
Sat, 19 Apr 2025June 8: Junto Nakatani-Ryosuke Nishida Bantamweight Unification Showdown Headlines Tokyo Super Card Streaming LIVE on ESPN+
Sat, 19 Apr 2025Thursday’s Action at the 2025 USA Boxing International Open Concludes
Sat, 19 Apr 2025H2O Sylve Returns to the Ring April 26th At Gateway Center Arena in Atlanta Amado Vargas Is Co-Main Live On BLK PRIME
Sat, 19 Apr 2025FM Arca bounces back, defeats IM Laohawirapap of Thailand in 6th round
By Marlon Bernardino, Sat, 19 Apr 2025