PASAY CITY, Philippines- Filipino flyweight prospect Froilan “The Sniper” Saludar improved his record to 16W-0L-1D, 11KO’s after beating the tough and game Jose Alfredo Tirado (27-12, 19KO’s) of Mexico. He also captures the interim WBO Oriental flyweight title.

The bout was filled with back and forth action. Tirado started quick with a double jab to which Saludar answered with his own jabs. Tirado was aggressive but Saludar was more dominant with his power and ring generalship.

Tirado came out swinging in round 2. Both traded punches in the middle of the ring just a few seconds into the round. Tirado was all attack though it was Saludar who’s landing more accurate punches.

High octane action was witnessed in round 4 as both fighters landed clean hard shots. Saludar tamed Tirado’s attack with his jab and body shots, effectively slowing the Mexican.

Tirado bull rushed Saludar in the opening seconds of round 5. Tirado was consistent with his attack, but Saludar tried to answer with movement and jabs. However, Tirado got the best of him.

The fight was taken on the inside in round 8. Tirado was busy attacking the body while Saludar used his jab to set up his right hand. Tirado was momentarily hurt with a 1-2 combination but went on the attack soon afterwards.

Tirado was still consistent with his attack in round 9. Tirado landed a hard right hand in the middle of round 9 that started a slugfest.

Saludar hurt Tirado with a series of uppercuts and straight rights in the opening seconds of round 11 but the Mexican kept coming even while hurt.

Saludar displayed good footwork and patience in the last round. Tirado was still consistent on the attack and gave his all in the last 10 seconds – only to get tied up by Saludar.

It was a tougher fight than expected but in the end Saludar won by unanimous decision. The scores were 120-108, 119-109 and 118-110.

“It’s a learning experience for both of us. Froilan had to know how to survive a fight like this,” told Saludar’s trainer Joven Jimenez.

Saludar also acknowledged his opponent after the fight. “He is tough. He hurt me several times with body shots and I also got tired, I just didn’t let him notice”.

In the co-main event, Mark Melligen (23-3, 16KO’s) stopped Sapapetch Sor Sakaorat (28-11, 18KO’s) in 2.

Jerwin Ancajas (15-1, 7KO’s) was also on the undercard against Miguel Tamayo (12-4, 11KO’s). Ancajas outboxed his opponent for 9 rounds then eventually stopped him in 10.

By: JM Siasat

http://www.boxingscene.com/saludar-captures-wbo-interim-strap-melligen-wins-too–57379

Filipino World Boxing Organization youth flyweight champion Froilan “The Sniper” Saludar and Mexican 112-pound titlist Jose Alfredo “Galletas” Tirado slug it out Friday for the vacant WBO Interim Oriental flyweight crown headlining the 62-round Shape Up Boxing Promotions card at the newly-refurbished Cuneta Astrodome in Pasay City.

The 23-year-old Saludar, a former amateur standout from Polomok, South Cotabato, will also be staking his immaculate 15-0 win-loss record highlighted by 11 knockouts against the 32-year-old veteran from Mazatlan, Sinaloa, Mexico in their 12-round showdown in the main dish of what is expected a slambang offering put up by Baguio City businessman-sportsman Anson Tiu Co.

Both Saludar and Tirado tipped the scale in identical 112-pound during yesterday’s official weight-in supervised by the Games and amusements Board at the Astrodome.

“Ready na po. I have prepared hard and long for this fight at maganda ang kondisyon ko,” Saludar said after the weigh-in. “Napag-aralan ko na po ang kilos ng kalaban at tingin ko kaya naman.”

Tirado who brings with him a vast experience having fought 57 times, winning 27, 19 of them by KO, and losing 11 when he battles his much younger Filipino opponent.

“I did not come here just to lose,” Tirado, for his part said with confidence, adding though he’s impressed with Saludar’s unbeaten record. “He’s very young and I expect a good fight.”

The “Kamao: Kidlat At Maso” event is being supported by Pasay City Mayor Antonino “:Toni” Calixto, Tobi, Cooyeesan Hotel of Baguio, Cherrylume, Sumo G.I. Sheets, Omico, GMA News, Boysen, MBC, Philpost, AC Harris, SMFI, Heritage Hotel, Victor, SM Tickets, SM Cinema, Jordan Farms, MNTC, JJS, Creative D’Vision, Digipost and Metapixel.

Bacolod City pride Mark Jason Melligen goes up against Sapapetch Sor Sakaorat of Ubon Rachathani, Thailand in a 10-round bantamweight fight in the supporting main event.

Jerwin Ancajas of Panabu City in Davao del Norte tests the mettle of Miguel Tamayo, also of Mexico in the other 10-rounder featuring two super-bantamweight protagonists.

An eight-round scrap between up-coming mini-flyweight campaigners Jessie Espina and Ronelle Ferreras, a apair of six-rounders and a four-rounder complete the 62-round card.

Larry Abarra and Macrea Gandionco, both of the Shape Up boxing stable of Tiu Co, battle Danilo Gabisay and Arnold Garde, respectively in six round, while Jonathan dela Cruz, another Tiu Co fighter, takes on Dominador Mantes in the four-round curtain raiser that starts the card at 6 p.m.

By: Eddie Alines

http://philboxing.com/news/story-75291.html