Kurihara KOs Saludar to win back OPBF bantam title
By Lito delos Reyes
PhilBoxing.com
Mon, 29 Jan 2024
KEITA Kurihara of Japan got his revenge by knocking out defending champion Froilan “The Sniper” Saludar of Polomolok in the 8th round to grab the Orient and Pacific Boxing Federation bantamweight title last January 26 at the NUSTAR Resort and Casino in Cebu City.
The 31-year-old Kurihara also won the vacant IBF Pan Pacific bantamweight title to improve his record to 18 wins with 16 knockouts against 8 losses and 1 draw.
It was a rematch with Saludar winning the first bout by stopping Kurihara in the 1st round last October 12, 2023 in Ariake Arena, Koto-Ku.
The 34-year-old Saludar suffered his 8th loss against 34 wins with 1 draw.
Kurihara was making his 6th title-defense when he lost to Saludar.
Meanwhile, Christian “The Bomb” Araneta of Mandaue City stopped Arvin “Hurricane” Magramo of Paranaque City in the first round to win the title eliminator for the International Boxing Federation light flyweight in the other main-event.
The 28-year-old Araneta threw several bombing punches in the early round to knock down Magramo.
The southpaw Magramo, 27, stood up to fight again but Araneta again knocked down Magramo forcing international referee Danrex Tapdasan to stop the fight in 1:54.
Araneta improved his record to 24 wins with 19 knockouts and two losses while Magramo suffered his second loss against 17 wins with 11 knockouts and one draw.
The undercards:
Kenshin Hosokawa beat Ronnie Baldonado by a split decision;
Kogaro Sekine triumphed over Al Toyogon via a 6th-round technical knockout;
Benny Cañete delivered a knockout win against Phissanu Chimsunton in the 1st round;
Lourinz Biasong secured victory over Kyota Watanabe by unanimous decision;
Jeo Santisima emerged victorious against Pablito Cañada via unanimous decision;
Ramil Roda Jr. dominated Anthony Galigao with a 6th-round technical knockout.
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