Saludar wins but rematch looms
By Joaquin Henson
PhilBoxing.com
Tue, 23 Feb 2021
Robert (Inggo) Paradero celebrated too early and paid a hefty price for showboating in the last two rounds as veteran Vic Saludar stepped up the pace down the stretch to eke out a split 12-round decision for the vacant regular WBA minimumweight crown in a makeshift ring at the lobby of the Binan football stadium last Saturday.
The fight was action-packed from the start with Paradero attacking relentlessly, often wildly, and Saludar counterpunching like a master technician. At least twice, Saludar grimaced from body shots but was never in danger of going down. After the fight, Saludar said he wasn’t fazed by Paradero’s aggressiveness. “Malakas siya pero sanay na ako d'yan,” he said. Saludar’s experience was evident by the poise he displayed in sweeping the last two rounds in two of the three judges’ scorecards to seal the deal.
Judge Aquil Tamano had it 115-113 and judge Danrex Tapdasan, 116-112, both for Saludar while judge Alfie Jocosol saw it 118-110 for Paradero. If Paradero only took one of the last two rounds in Tamano’s scorecard, it would’ve been a split draw. GAB chairman Baham Mitra, acting as WBA title fight supervisor at ringside, said he’ll review Jocosol’s tally which seemed to be way off. Paradero’s manager Dr. Glorio Sajulga said he will write the WBA to appeal for an immediate rematch. Sajulga initially thought of filing a protest which under WBA rules, comes with a $10,000 fee. But Sajulga later said he isn’t pushing to overturn the decision as his intention is only to give Paradero another chance.
Paradero, 24, was visibly upset. “Ako ang (dapat) champion,” he said. “Kung bigyan ako ng pagkakataon sa rematch, kaya kong pabagsakin si Saludar. Ang sakit sa kalooban ko na matalo ng ganito.” Sajulga claimed that 80 percent of fans’ comments in social media favored Paradero. Veteran international judge and referee Silvestre Abainza, watching from home, said he thought Paradero deserved to win. Saludar said he’ll do a rematch if that’s what his manager Kenneth Rontal agrees to. “Actually, ang motivation ni Vic ay ang hunger ni Paradero,” said Saludar’s trainer Jojo Palacios. “Si Vic laging composed at same ni Inggo na gutom kasi bread and butter niya ang boksing at alam niya ang halaga ng world title para sa kaniyang pamilya.” Promoter Bebot Elorde said if there’s a rematch, it could be held in Cagayan de Oro. “But who will promote it again if no sponsors back up the expenses?” he asked.
Click here to view a list of other articles written by Joaquin Henson.
Recent PhilBoxing.com In-House articles:
THE PAST WEEK IN ACTION 18 JANUARY 2026: Nikita Tszyu-Michael Zerafa End in No Contest; Raul Curiel Outpoints Jordan Panthen
By Eric Armit, Mon, 19 Jan 2026Ryan Daye ready for WBC title Clash March 13 in Perth – Thunderdome 53
Mon, 19 Jan 2026RAUL “EL CUGÁR” CURIEL CRUISES TO UNANIMOUS DECISION WIN OVER JORDAN “THE PATRIOT” PANTHEN
Sat, 17 Jan 2026Weights from Philadelphia
Sat, 17 Jan 2026Mexico Commemorates 12th Death Anniversary of Don Jose Sulaiman (Photos)
By Gabriel F. Cordero, Sat, 17 Jan 2026MOLLY McCANN EYES 'HUGE' STATEMENT START TO 2026 AS SHE JOINS BUMPER WOOD-WARINGTON CARD IN NOTTINGHAM ON FEBRUARY 21
Sat, 17 Jan 2026NEW MAIN EVENT ANNOUNCED! RAUL CURIEL SCHEDULED TO FACE JORDAN PANTHEN IN MIDDLEWEIGHT SCRAP
Fri, 16 Jan 2026SMALLS VS RAMOS TOPS STACKED UNDERCARD FOR NAVARRETE-NUNEZ BLOCKBUSTER IN GLENDALE
Fri, 16 Jan 2026Usyk Linked to Zuffa Boxing Deal as Questions Loom Over Title Defenses
By Gabriel F. Cordero, Fri, 16 Jan 2026Abass Baraou: "No One Has Been Able to Withstand My Pressure!"
Fri, 16 Jan 2026Wise Owl Boxing Signs Rising Female Star Chantel “Chicanita” Navarro
Fri, 16 Jan 2026Mauricio Sulaiman: WBC wants to protect fighters' dream of becoming a world champion
By Gabriel F. Cordero, Thu, 15 Jan 2026Xander Zayas: "It's Time to Make History!"
Thu, 15 Jan 2026Weights from Trenton, NJ
Thu, 15 Jan 2026Pro Boxer and Recent Grad Returns for Fight Night on the Farm — Celebrating Stanford’s Boxing Community
Thu, 15 Jan 2026