Wilfredo “Bimbito” Méndez became the new WBO champion at 105 pounds and ended the world monarch drought on the Island by beating the Filipino Vic Salute by unanimous decision at the Puerto Rico Convention Center in another edition of the series “Casino Metro Boxing Nights”, presented by PR Best Boxing Promotions (PRBBP) in association with Spartan Boxing.

Bimbito Méndez (14-1, 5 kos), is also the third Puerto Rican to be crowned at 105 pounds worldwide (the others were Alex “El Nene” Sánchez and Iván “Iron Boy” Calderón) by the WBO.

The Puerto Rican used a good boxing for the 12 rounds to frustrate an aggressive Salute (19-4, 10 kos), who made his second title defense. The oriental knocked down Mendez with a left hook, but without serious consequences in round five. After the 12 rounds, the judges handed out cards of 117-110, 116-111 and 115-112 for Méndez.

“This is a dream come true; after all this we work and now I am a world champion, the only one that has Puerto Rico in men’s right now,” said Méndez, 22, after his victory. “We follow all the time the fight plan we worked on and we were able to take the victory against a good opponent like Saludar.”

The time is coming for world title boxing to return to Puerto Rico. This Saturday, August 24, the Island will have such a fight when the WBO World Mini-Flyweight champion, Filipino Vic Saludar, defends his belt against Puerto Rican Wilfredo “Bimbito” Méndez in another edition of the “Casino Metro Boxing Nights “, presented by PR Best Boxing Promotions (PRBBP) in association with Spartan Boxing, Puerto Rico Convention Center in San Juan that will be broadcast live on Wapa Deportes.

“In PR Best Boxing we continue making history. We return with world boxing on the Island and we will present the first boxing event to be held in the Ballroom of the Puerto Rico Convention Center. We will have Bimbito Méndez looking to be crowned before his people in front of a good rival as is Saludar,” said promoter Iván Rivera, president of PRBBP. “We will have seven fights in total, in which we will present the world ranked Jean Carlos” Lobo “Torres and other Puerto Rican prospects. It will be a good boxing night in Puerto Rico.”

Bimbito Méndez (13-1, 5 kos), 22, comes from a win over his compatriot Janiel “Pototo” Rivera by unanimous decision on May 24 to defend his WBO NABO belt for the first time getting on the road to face Saludar.

“Today I got up and said: ‘Am I dreaming?’. No, this is not a dream, the successful persons don’t dream, fight for their dreams and that is what I have been doing since I started in professional boxing, working hard. I know that Saludar is a strong opponent and thanks him for coming to my house. He came here and that is to be respected. In this life, nothing is impossible. This Saturday there will be a new world champion of 105 pounds and I will end the drought of male champions in Puerto Rico. I trust my nine-week camp. I want my people come this Saturday to see the new world champion,”said Méndez, who trains at the Caimito Gym in San Juan under the orders of Freddy Trinidad and Yowi González.

For his part, Saludar (19-3, 10 kos), 28, became WBO monarch at 105 pounds on July 13, 2018, when he beat Ryuya Yamanaka in Japan and defended it for the first time on February 26, 2019, with a victory over the also Japanese Masataka Taniguchi.

“(I am) happy to be in Puerto Rico and face Bimbito. We are ready to fight. It will be a good fight this Saturday. We come to do a good job in Puerto Rico. We have been training for this fight for a long time, with good sparring and we hope take us the victory,” said Saludar.

After 20 hours in transit, Vic Saludar finally arrived in Puerto Rico from the Philippines. He was ready to stretch his legs out and move around, but not particularly tired.

“I slept on the airplane,” said Saludar, the reigning WBO strawweight titleholder.

Saludar didn’t make the trip for leisure, but rather to make a mandatory title defense against Wilfredo Mendez this Saturday at the Puerto Rico Convention Center, San Juan.

The fight will be the second defense of the belt he won in July of 2018, and will be his third straight fight abroad.

“It will be hard since the fight against them is here,” said Saludar (19-3, 10 knockouts) of Polomolok, Philippines. “But I will do everything I can.”

If Saludar suggests the dilemma of fighting abroad, head trainer Michael Palacios removes any pretense of ambiguity.

“We always have the best camp but this time Vic is more focused and dedicated because he know his situation…That we might get robbed,” said Palacios.

“That is why I keep on telling him, ‘we are the challenger here, we need to dominate every single round.’”

Saludar won’t have the benefit of having Palacios in his corner since his full time coach didn’t get approved for a visa. Instead he’ll have Bobby Villaver, a Hawaii based Filipino American who had previously been the head trainer of Vic’s older brother Froilan Saludar, and had worked with Vic when he was still an amateur.

More than just having the ability to travel feely throughout the U.S. and its territories, Villaver brings a level of familiarity with the training style of Palacios, whom he mentored while working alongside him as a trainer in Thailand at the famed Kokietgym. Villaver will also double as the cutman and is bringing Kawelo Alcos, a 2-0-1 pro, along from Hawaii to work as an assistant.

“They have the same training style,” said Saludar, who is rated no. 3 by The Ring at 105 pounds, behind WBA titleholder Knockout CP Freshmart and WBC titleholder Wanheng Menayothin.

Few things should rattle Villaver, who was the head trainer of Somsak Sithchatchawal when the Thai upset Mahyar Monshipour to win the WBA junior featherweight title in what was named Fight of the Year for 2006 by The Ring and the Boxing Writers Association of America.

Saludar describes Mendez as a boxer who likes to punch and hold, preferring to go the distance and win the fight on scorecards. Mendez (13-1, 5 KOs), a southpaw, got to this point by defeating Janiel Rivera by split decision this past May in a title eliminator. At 22, Mendez is six years younger than Saludar.

“All we can do is our best, we have no problem with his style with the left hand,” said Villaver.

Palacios says he feels Masataka Taniguchi, whom Saludar defeated in his previous fight, is a more dangerous and complete fighter than Mendez, and that Saludar should end the fight within the distance.

“ I believe Vic is much stronger now. [The] knockout will just come eventually,” said Palacios.

Via Ryan Songalia / Ringtv.com

SAN JUAN, PUERTO RICO – The Ballroom of the Puerto Rico Convention Center in San Juan will feature a boxing show for the first time, when the WBO’s #1 ranked contender at 105 pounds, Puerto Rico’s Wilfredo “Bimbito” Mendez, faces the champion from Philippines, Vic Saludar, in another edition of the series Casino Metro Boxing Nights, presented by PR Best Boxing Promotions (PRBBP) in association with Spartan Boxing, which will be broadcast live on Wapa Deportes.

“The expected fight between Vic Saludar, WBO champion, and Bimbito Mendez has already a venue and it will be the Ballroom of the Puerto Rico Convention Center in San Juan, which specifically (the Ballroom) will feature boxing for the first time, and will be this important event,” said promoter Iván Rivera, president of PRBBP.

“In PRRBP, we will continue to carry out innovative events, as we have always done, since although the Convention Center has had other sporting events, we will have one in its Ballroom for the first time and as part of the Casino Metro Boxing Nights series.”

The fight will present the young boxer from Trujillo Alto, Bimbito Mendez (13-1, 5 KOs), in his first world opportunity against the champion Saludar (19-3, 10 kos), who will defend his belt for the second time.

“We have worked hard to bring this fight to Puerto Rico and we managed to do it here. We are confident that Bimbito can become a world champion and fill the emptiness of champions (men) we have at the moment,” said Raúl Pastrana, president of Spartan Boxing, who represents the Puerto Rican boxer.

Méndez, 22, comes from an unanimous decision win over his compatriot Janiel “Pototo” Rivera (18-4-3, 11 KOs) on May 24 to defend his WBO NABO title at 105 pounds for the first time and get on the road to face Saludar.

Meanwhile, Saludar, 28, won his WBO belt at 105 pounds on July 13, 2018 when he defeated Japanese Ryuya Yamanaka, and had a defense, on February 26, 2019, when he beat also Japanese Masataka Taniguchi. Both bouts were in Japan.

SAN JUAN, PUERTO RICO- El clasificado número uno de la OMB en las 105 libras, el puertorriqueño Wilfredo “Bimbito” Méndez, tendrá su ansiada oportunidad mundial el sábado, 24 de agosto, frente al filipino Vic Saludar, monarca de la OMB, en Puerto Rico en una presentación de PR Best Boxing Promotions (PRBBP).

“Ya se llegó a un acuerdo y Vic Saludar vendrá a Puerto Rico a defender su título frente a Bimbito (Méndez), que es el retador mandatorio. Estamos trabajando en el escenario para este combate y estaremos anunciándolo próximamente junto a otros detalles de la cartelera”, expresó Peter Rivera, vicepresidente de PRBBP.

Bimbito Méndez (13-1, 5 kos), de 22 años, viene de vencer por decisión unánime a su compatriota Janie “Pototo” Rivera el 24 de mayo para defender por primera vez su cetro NABO de la OMB en las 105 libras y ganarse el derecho de clasificarse primero y enfrentar a Saludar.

El oriental Saludar (19-3, 10 kos), por su parte, cuenta con 28 años y ganó su correa de la OMB en las 105 libras el 13 de julio de 2018 cuando derrotó al japonés Ryuya Yamanaka, defendiéndolo en una ocasión, el 26 de febrero de este año, al imponerse sobre el también japonés Masataka Taniguchi. Ambos pleitos fueron en Japón.

From: Luis Batista Salas, Esq. Chairman WBO Championship Committee

June 21st 2019

To:
Mr. Kenneth Ralph Rontal Championship Boxing Promotions
Mr. Ivan Rivera PR Best Boxing Promotions

Re: WBO MINI-FLYWEIGHT CHAMPIONSHIP CONTEST – PURSE BID VIC SALUDAR VS. WILFREDO MENDEZ

Gentlemen: As per Section 11 through 14 of the enclosed copy of the WBO Regulations of World Championship Contests (www.wboboxing.com), please be advised that a Purse Bid will be held at 11:00 a.m. AST on Thursday, June 27th, 2019, at the World Boxing Organization headquarter offices at San Juan, Puerto Rico.

World Boxing Organization Headquarter Offices
1056 Muñoz Rivera Avenue
Suite 711-714
San Juan, Puerto Rico, 00927

Pursuant to our WBO Regulations of World Championship Contests on Purse Bid procedures, kindly note:

The Minimum acceptable bid for the WBO Mini-Flyweight Division is $80,000.00 (Eighty Thousand Dollars). WBO President Francisco Valcárcel, Esq. will preside purse bid proceedings.

Kindly note the following provisions:

1. If the Champion is injured and depending on the type of injury and the needed recovery time, the WBO Championship Committee, in accordance to the WBO Regulations, will decide if the title is vacated or an interim championship is ordered.

2. If the Challenger is injured or refuses to fight, he loses his position in the rankings and the WBO World Championship Committee can determine the next available contender, or it can order an Elimination bout with the two best available contenders, and the Champion can be permitted a Voluntary bout.

3. Signed contracts shall be filed to the WBO Offices within five (5) days upon the adjudication of the Purse Bid.

Section 13 (a) subsections (1) (A) and (B) of the WBO Regulations of World Championship Contests provides:

1. The Purse for Championship Contests held and completed pursuant to Purse Bids shall be distributed as follows:

(1) CHAMPIONSHIPS WITH AN EXISTING CHAMPION

(a) In fights for the Title between the Champion and the Mandatory Challenger held in the country of origin, residence or nationality of the Champion, the Champion shall receive 75% of the purse and the Challenger shall receive the remaining 25%. (b) In a fight for the Title held in any other country, the Champion shall receive 80% of the purse and the Challenger shall receive the remaining 20%. Please be advised that the parties must comply fully with the WBO Regulations of World Championship Contests regarding Purse Bid procedures. Yours Truly,

Luis Batista Salas, Esq.

Cc: Francisco “Paco” Valcárcel, Esq.
WBO President

WBO World Mini-Flyweight champion Vic Saludar (18-3, 10KO’s) is training hard for his first title defense on February 26 against Japanese challenger Masataka Taniguchi (11-2,7KO’s). The fight will be held at the Korakuen Hall in Tokyo. 

Saludar took the title in Kobe, Japan last July 13, 2018 against another Japanese, Ryuya Yamanaka by unanimous decision. Saludar decked Yamanaka in round seven with a hard right hand that turned the tide of what started as a close fight. 

A little more than a month after that fight, Yamanaka retired due to medical reasons after he was diagnosed to have suffered a subdural hematoma; when blood collects between the thin layers covering the brain due to head trauma. 

“Yes, the fight against Taniguchi has been confirmed at the Korakuen Hall in Tokyo,” Saludar’s promoter Kenneth Rontal told this writer, “For the past weeks, Vic has been sparring with Dave Apolinario and Jaysever Abcede. Next week, Joey Canoy will be added as sparring partner.” 

“He is doing well in training,” Rontal added, “He will be prepared with whatever Taniguchi will bring. He will just have to stick to the game plan.” 

Apolinario is an unbeaten prospect with a 9-0,6KO’s record while Abcede (18-8,12KO’s) won the WBA Asia flyweight title last year by knocking out in two rounds Thai Yutthana Kaensa in Bangkok. Canoy (14-3-1,7KO’s) had to settle for a no contest in an IBO world title fight in South Africa last December when defending champion Simpiwe Konkco suffered a cut due to a clash of heads and the fight was stopped in round four. 

The 28 year old Saludar was born in Polomolok, South Cotabato. In his first attempt to win a world title he was stopped by then WBO champ Kosei Tanaka in six rounds in Aichi, Japan on New Year’s Eve 2015. 

The 25 year old Taniguchi has seen action twice in the Philippines. In 2016, he knocked out Joey Bactul in two rounds in a fight held in Maasim, Sarangani. Then a year later, he stopped Benjie Bartolome in one round in Makati City. Other Filipino victims on his resume are Dexter Alimento, Vincent Bautista, Reymark Taday and Joel Lino. 

Taniguchi won the vacant WBO Asia Pacific minimumweight title by unanimous decision against Lino last November in Bangkok. Taniguchi is the number two ranked contender of the WBO. The number one spot is occupied by a Filipino, Robert Paradero. 

http://m.philboxing.com/news/story-142228.html

Saludar will return to Japan to defend his title against Masataka Taniguchi on February 26 at Tokyo’s Korakuen Hall. This will be Saludar’s third overall fight taking place in Japan.

The 28-year-old Saludar, undefeated since the summer of 2017, won the title last July when he defeated Ryuya Yamanaka. The fight, which extended Saludar’s win streak to four fights, headlined a boxing show at Central Gym in Kobe, Japan. Saludar is also ranked No. 10 on Fightful’s boxing rankings at 105 and 108 pounds.

Taniguchi, a 25-year-old who has been fighting professionally since 2016, is coming off a win over Joel Lino in November to win the WBO Asia Pacific Mini-Flyweight title. Taniguchi unsuccessfully challenged for the Japanese and OPBF titles in 2017, but has now won his last three fights. Taniguchi is currently the No. 2 ranked minimumweight in the WBO rankings and is ranked No. 6 by the IBF.

Announced for the show is the second pro fight of highly-touted prospect Ginjiro Shigeoka, facing an opponent to be named later in a six-round bout at 105 pounds. Undefeated boxer Shu Utsuki will face Jerry Castroverde on the card as well in what will be Utsuki’s fourth fight.

Panamá – Como parte de la Trigésima-Primera Convención de la Organización Mundial de Boxeo (OMB), hoy se estuvo celebrando en el Hotel El Panamá, la reunion del ‘Comité de Campeonato y Clasificaciones’ del organismo mundial.

Puntos destacados:

El campeón mundial peso Mini Mosca (105 libras) Vic Saludar (18-3, 10 KOs) de las Filipinas, pronto sabrá contra quién defenderá su título mundial.

Para el viernes, 7 de diciembre en Puerto Rico, el campeón de la NABO, Wilfredo ‘Bimbito’ Méndez (11-1, 4 KOs) de Puerto Rico y clasificado #7 por la OMB, regresará al cuadrilátero contra el clasificado número 1 de la OMB, Robert Paradero (17-0, 11 KOs), de Filipinas en un combate que la OMB acaba de anunciar para establecer al retador mandatorio de Saludar.

El clasificado #1 por la OMB en el peso junior mediano Dennis Hogan (27-1-1, 7 KOs), ha sido aprobado por unanimidad para ser nombrado el retador mandatorio del invicto campeón de la OMB Jaime Munguia, de México. Primero Hogan tendrá que ganar su próxima pelea que será el 15 de diciembre en Australia. Su oponente lo será Jaime Weetch (12-2, 5 KOs).

El invicto campeón mundial de la OMB en las 122 libras Isaac Dogboe defenderá su cetro ante el clasificado #2 Emanuel Navarette para el sábado, 8 de diciembre.

Dicho combate fue declarado como defensa mandatoria. Un movimiento que le da a Dogboe más flexibilidad con respecto a la defensa del título, suponiendo que le gane a Navarette.

Con la pelea declarada como defensa mandatoria, Dogboe tendrá nueve meses después de la pelea contra Navarette antes de que la OMB le solicite que haga una defensa mandatoria. Esto abre el posible escenario para que Dogboe pueda defender su título en Ghana para el año 2019, escenario que su equipo de trabajo ha comentado por mucho tiempo.

En las 115 libras, los filipinos Aston Palicte (24-2-1, 20 KOs) y Donnie Nietes (41-1-5, 23 KOs) pelearon el mes pasado en una pelea por el título mundial vacante de la OMB, pero el duelo terminó en empate.

La OMB aprobó que Nietes se enfrentará al clasificado #3 Kazuto Ioka (23-1, 13 KOs) de Japón, por el título mundial vacante de la OMB y Palicte se medirá al cuarto clasificado José ‘Chiquiro’ Martínez (20-0-2, 13 KOs) de Puerto Rico, en una pelea eliminatoria donde el ganador obtendrá la posición obligatoria por el título mundial.

Otro pleito que fue aprobado es en los pesos cruceros entre Maksim Vlasov (42-2, 25 KOs) de Russia y Krzysztof Glowacki (30-1, 19 KOs) de Polonia, por el título interino de la OMB, esto como parte de la ‘World Boxing Super Series’, a celebrarse el 10 de noviembre en Chicago.

Por otro lado, el representante de la Comisión de Boxeo de Japón Tsuyoshi Yasukochi, le pidió a la OMB que la próxima Convención sea celebrada en Tokyo, Japón. El pedido fue aprobado por la OMB mediante los miembros del Comité Ejecutivo y escogieron a Puerto Rico como segunda opción en caso de que se cancele.

The World Boxing Organization (WBO) announced the officials assigned for this Friday, July 13th bout between Mini Flyweight World Champion Ryuya Yamanaka (16-2, 5 KOs), from Japan, and Vic Saludar (17- 3, 10 KOs), from the Philippines, in a scheduled 12-round match.

The duel will be held at the Central Gym in the city of Kobe, Japan, as the main event of a fight card presented by Shinsei Promotions.

Californian Raúl Caíz, Jr will be the third man in the ring.

Daniel Sandoval, from California, Carlos Ortíz, from New York and Pinit Prayadsab, from Thailand, were appointed judges of the fight.

The supervisor of the fight will be Leon Panoncillo, Jr, Vice President of the Asia Pacific region for the WBO.

For Yamanaka, it will be the second defense of the title he won at the Shiroyama Sky Dome in Japan, on August 27, 2017, by defeating his countryman Tatsuya Fukuhara, via unanimous decision. He then defended the title against Mexican Moisés Calleros, who fell by 8th round technical knockout. For his part, Saludar, ranked third in the WBO at 105 pounds, has held the Asia Pacific and Oriental titles.

Japan’s Ryuya Yamanaka will make the second defense of his WBO Mini-Flyweight title against dangerous Filipino puncher Vic Saludar, at the Central Gym, in his hometown of Kobe, Japan, on Friday.

Yamanaka, who is ranked No. 4 by The Ring at 105 pounds, won the title last August, edging compatriot Tatsuya Fukuhara, in a hard-fought battle. He retained his belt for the first time, surprisingly stopping the man Fukuhara had bested, battle-tested Moises Calleros, forcing the Mexican to retire in his corner, at the conclusion of eight rounds, last March.

It was an impressive win for Yamanaka (16-2, 5 knockouts), who is more known as a boxer than a puncher. He feels that, although the result looks good, he has room for improvement.

“I had prepared and trained very well with my trainer Mr. Masato Yamashita for the last bout with Calleros,” Yamanaka told The Ring through Tomoyuki Kataoka. “I think that such preparation and training resulted in my victory. I have not been satisfied with the result, and therefore, I will continue doing my best to grow stronger.”

The most noticeable thing the 23-year-old has improved in his game, since winning the title, is his greater physicality, as illustrated by the Calleros victory.

“I think that I have improved my offensive strength and increased varieties of my offensive ability,” he said.

Those fights, as well as excellent preparation under the tutelage of Yamashita, have helped Yamanaka prepare for this potentially tricky, upcoming defense, though he remains confident of victory.

“Saludar is very powerful and skillful boxer,” he explained. “It seems that he has weakness; however I will come up with my answer to it during the bout with him.

“This bout will become my toughest one I have ever had; however, who will get the last laugh is, of course, me.”

Yamashita runs the Shinsei Gym in Kobe and produced the exceptional former three-division titlist Hozumi Hasegawa. He also works with Shun Kubo, who held the WBA junior featherweight title as recently as last year, promising prospects Yuki Yamauchi, who will make his debut on the undercard, and Tetsura Ohashi.

Yamashita has high hopes for his newest protege.

“I hope that he will be able to become an esteemed world champion, in light of his behavior, and also private life,” said the trainer. “I would like him to win world championships in three weight classes. He is still young.

“He will fight at strawweight this year and later go up to junior flyweight. I think he will be able to fight up to flyweight.”

By Anson Wainwright
https://www.ringtv.com/538993-ryuya-yamanaka-wants-to-win-big-against-vic-saludar-on-friday/

In another historic first for Philippine boxing, two brothers will fight for world title belts on the same month against Japanese champions.

Vic Saludar (17-3,10KO’s) will challenge WBO minimumweight champion Ryuya Yamanaka ( 16-2,5KO’s) on July 13 in Kobe, Japan. Then on July 27, Froilan Saludar (28-2-1,19KO’s) will go for the WBO flyweight title against reigning champion Sho Kimura (16-1-2,9KO’s) in Xiamen, China.

Yamanaka won the title last year by unanimous decision against countryman Tatsuya Fukuhara. This will be the second defense for Yamanaka, having stopped Mexican Moises Calleros in eight rounds last March.

Vic Saludar challenged Japanese Kosei Tanaka for the WBO world minimumweight title on New Year’s Eve 2015 and was leading on the scorecards and even knocked down the Japanese in round five before he succumbed to a hard body shot in the subsequent round. Vic has since gone 6W-1L since the Tanaka fight and is currently ranked number three in the June 2018 ratings of the WBO.

Froilan Saludar has scored five straight wins by KO/TKO since the loss to Japanese Takuma Inoue in a non-title bout two years ago. The June 2018 rankings of the WBO has him at number four.

Kimura is well known in China, having dethroned Chinese boxing hero Zou Shiming last year by 11th round TKO. He defended his title once against countryman Toshiyuki Igarashi last December by 9th round TKO.

This historic Japan vs Philippines match-up in July has been given the green light by the World Boxing Organization (WBO).

The Saludar brothers are managed by Kathy Rosillo and promoted by Kenneth Rontal. They are training in Gen.Santos City with coaches Michael John Palacio, Boy Donaire and Ariel Saludar. The China bout is promoted by Top King Promotions’ Wang Fei and Liu Gang.

By Rene Bonsubre, Jr.
http://philboxing.com/news/story-137438.htmlgoo

Photo by powcastsports.com

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GEN. SANTOS CITY – Boxing fans will get to witness one of the biggest fight cards held in this region featuring three WBO regional title fights at the Oval Plaza Gym this Saturday.

Jake Bornea (10-1,5KO’s) is set for the first defense of his WBO Asia-Pacific Youth flyweight title against Renerio Arizala(13-3-1,5KO’s).

Bornea (left in top photo) easily made the division limit of 112 lbs while Arizala had to shed more than two pounds to make 112 on his second try during the official weigh-in held Friday at the Family Country Hotel and Convention Center in Gen. Santos City.

Bornea did not assure victory during the press conference held before the weigh-in but vowed to give fans a really good fight. Arizala for his part was thankful for the opportunity to fight for a title. He said that with a win, the fans in the Philippines will get to know his name.

Bornea is ranked number 13 among the contender’s list of the World Boxing Organization (WBO). He won the title by stopping Richard Rosales in four rounds last July. Arizala has a win against Romnick Magos and losses against Toshiyuki Igarashi in Japan and Genesis Libranza in his last three bouts.

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Vic Saludar (left) poses with Lito Dante, and WBO Asia Pacific chief Leon Panancillo (extreme left) 

“Vicious” Vic Saludar (11-2,9KO’s) will defend his WBO Asia-Pacific minimumweight title against Lito Dante (11–5-3,6KO’s). Saludar was ahead on the judges’ scores after decking Japanese Kosei Tanaka in the fifth round last December 31 in their WBO minimumweight world title bout before succumbing to a body shot in the sixth round.

Dante lost to Siyabonga Siyo in South Africa by unanimous verdict in a WBA International title bout last year but bounced back with back to back wins against Lester Abutan and Junuel Lacar. Dante is also ranked number one in the Philippines among the miniflyweights by boxrec.com.

Dante said that he can beat Saludar and experience is on his side. Saludar for his part wants to go back to the win column and show the fans here what he can do inside the ring.
Both boxers easily made 105 lbs.

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Two foreign boxers will battle for the vacant WBO Asia-Pacific featherweight crown – Hiroshige Osawa (29-3,18KO’s) of Japan and Yon Armed (12-5,6KO’s) of Indonesia. Ozawa made 125.5 lbs on the scales while Armed was half a pound lighter.

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During the press conference, Promoter Alex Amoy assured the sportswriters in attendance of fair and unbiased officiating. 

For the undercard bouts:

Jade Bornea (115lbs) vs Ronie Sunido (115lbs) – for Mindanao-Philippine Boxing Federation title – 8 rounds

Rence Magarce (118) vs Jetly Purisima (112) – 8 rounds

Robert Paradero (105) vs Ian Ligutan (104) – 10 rounds

Vince Paras (107lbs) vs Briel Ozaraga (104.5lbs) – 6 rounds

Michael Rodriguez (111.5) vs Jeny Boy Buca (112.75) – 6 rounds

Raymart Lumacad (113) vs Ramil Antaran(108) – 6 rounds.

Lony Cadayday (111.75) vs Anferne Palanca (112) – 4 rounds

Roger Salaton (108lbs) vs Martin Faderogao (102.25lbs) – 4 rounds

Jayson Mama (107) vs Roland Beindima (107)- 4 rounds

Ken Jordan (103) vs Joey Antonio (108) – 4 rounds

Van June Saludar (112lbs) vs Jeffrey Alejandre (108lbs) – 4rounds

Joel Taduran (106) vs Michael Borja (100)-4rounds

The bout between Froilan Saludar vs Nicardo Calamba has been cancelled.

“KAMBAL KAMAO” is co-promoted by Amoy Boxing Promotions in cooperation with Ran-ran Boxing Stable, G-Pro Boxing Team and Championship Boxing Development of Kenneth Rontal. The weigh-in for the WBO bouts was supervised by WBO VP for Asia-Pacific Leon Panoncillo. The April 2 bouts here in Gensan will start at 2PM.

Header Photo – Jake Bornea and Renerio Arizala

www.philboxing.com/news/story-117624.html

Date: Thursday, December 31, 2015

WBO MINI-FLYWEIGHT CHAMPIONSHIP TITLE BOUT

Location:   Aichi Perfectural Gym, Nagoya, Aichi, Japan

Promoter:    Hatanaka Promotions / Kiyoshi Hatanaka

Supervisor:  Istvan Kovacs

Referee:  Mike Ortega

Judges:  Lynne Carter (44-50); Levi Martinez (45-49); Zoltan Enyedi (44-50)

Results:   The Champion Kosei Tanaka retained the WBO Mini-Flyweight Title against Vic Saludar by KO in the sixth round.

TV:

354869390 (Image courtesy of boxingnews.jp) –

The first world title fight to take place tomorrow comes from Aichi and will be aired on CBC and TBS.

That bout is the WBO Minimumweight title bout between unbeaten champion Kosei Tanaka(5-0, 2) and hard punching Filipino challenger Vic Saludar (11-1, 9).

On the scales both were very similar weighing in around 104¾lbs, well inside the divisional limit, and both looked in fantastic shape.

For Tanaka the weight is lighter than he was last time out, in his title winning performance against Julian Yedras, but was the same as he was against Ryuji Hara in his OPBF title win last year. For Saludar the weight is his lightest so far, and shows how much he has prepared for this one, the biggest of his professional career by far.

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Screen Shot 2015-12-30 Kosei Tanaka(Screen shot)

When Kosei Tanaka won the vacant WBO strawweight title in May outpointing Julian Yedras. The victory made him the youngest major world titleholder in boxing. Tanaka turned 20 two weeks after beating his Mexican rival by unanimous decision.

After seven months Tanaka (5-0, 2 knockouts) looks to make a first defense of his belt when he faces the WBO’s No. 4-ranked contender Vic Saludar (11-1, 9 KOs) on Thursday evening at the Aichi Prefectural Gym in Nagoya, Japan.

While the uber-talented youngster is still in college he isn’t looking past his heavy-handed Filipino challenger. Tanaka has many goals in the sport to achieve, including going up in weight.

“I have various kinds of goals in boxing,” Tanaka told RingTV.com through Tomoyuki Kataoka. “I am still young, and therefore, very ambitious in my own future. I do not have any actual clear goals to talk about other than becoming a globally popular boxer, many people will cheer for.”

His performances in the ring to date have certainly caught the attention of the Japanese boxing scene and if his stock continues to rise he will doubtlessly become more popular in the West much like his countryman Naoya Inoue.

Former WBC junior featherweight champion Kiyoshi Hatanaka is Tanaka’s promoter/manager and believes his client can go a long way in the sport.

“Kosei has good mind, good technique and good physical ability as a boxer and, furthermore, he is very clever though he is still young,” Hatanaka said. “I have managed a boxing gym in Nagoya – the third (largest) city in Japan – for a long time, however, I have never seen such an excellent talent as Kosei.

“Since he is still young, his body is growing every day. Therefore, it will be difficult for him to maintain his weight of 105 pounds. However, if he gains his experience as a professional boxer and he can keep up his own appropriate weight of the moment, he will be able to exercise his talent and strength frighteningly. Boxing’s ‘Dream Boy’ will give his best efforts every day to make his dream happen. I am convinced that his honor will spread all around the world in the near future.”

Here’s what Tanaka had to say when RingTV.com spoke to him ahead of his maiden title defense.

RingTV.com – What are your thoughts on facing Saludar?

Kosei Tanaka – This bout will seem to become a very thrilling one, where both fighters can use their own speed and power.

RTV – What do you feel he brings to this fight in terms of strengths and weaknesses?

KT – His strengths are sharp punches and one-two punches. However, his weakness is a lack of experience for a 12-round match.

RTV – You won the WBO title back in May, outpointing Julian Yedras. Tell us about that fight.

KT – He was a great boxer with a good chin and strong mind, and therefore, I was not able to knock him out. It was very tough during the fight.

RTV – What did it mean to you personally when they announced the decision and you knew you were the champion?

KT – At the moment, my own perspective in my head had changed. Furthermore, the victory made me raise my own sights for boxing.

RTV – Did it change anything in your life?

KT – The victory gave me a license to fight against various strong boxers all around the world from now on.

RTV – There will have been seven months between the Yedras fight and the Saludar fight. What have you done in that time and why were you out of action for so long?

KT – It was just a result of incidental encounter of various circumstances. I was able to use the seven-month period as a chance to set my new aim, to prepare restarting and to have my eyes on myself and boxing.

RTV – It has been rumoured that you would unify against the experienced IBF champion Katsunari Takayama, what is the latest with regards that fight? Is the two of you fighting on the same card a prelude to a fight next year?

KT – The plan for the unification bout with Takayama has collapsed, and therefore, at the present, I do not have any comment on the bout. It might depend on the circumstances in the future.

RTV – You’re only 20, and big for a strawweight, but how much longer do you feel you can fight at 105-pounds?

KT – I will check it again at my next bout; however, I have my sights set on going up to heavier (weight classes).

RTV – You’re from Tajimi, in Gifu, what was your youth like and how did you become interested in and take up boxing?

KT – I started karate when I was in Kindergarten. I loved practicing Karate every day and I was eager to become a better karate player than any of my friends. I commenced boxing when I was in junior high school in order to improve my karate skill. I then realized I was better at boxing than karate.

RTV – Away from boxing what would you tell us about your life? 

KT – I love to eat any food. I do not have any specific hobby other than boxing. I always concentrate my attention on boxing, and therefore, I am not good at studying at my university. I am still a student at Chukyo University in Nagoya. I study Economics.

RTV – In closing do you have a message for Saludar?

KT – Let’s have a great bout at the best physical conditions.

 

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WORLD Boxing Organization Asia Pacific minimum weight champion Vic  Saludar,  who is ranked No. 4 in the world, gets the biggest chance of his career when he battles Japan’s world champion Kosei Tanaka, the 20-year-old youngster with a record of 5-0, with 2 knockouts on New Year’s Eve in Nagoya, Japan.

One of the newest additions to the famed ALA Gym in Cebu, Saludar said he has been “more focused in training now because I know this is the biggest fight of my career.”

The 25-year-old Saluiddar, who has a record of 11-1 with 9 knockouts to his name, said this is a big chance for him as his dream is to become a world champion, which is the reason he turned pro after a highly promising amateur career.

Should Saludar win, he will join Donnie “Ahas” Nietes, the WBO light flyweight champion as the second world title holder from the ALA Gym.

Asked about possible adjustments against the Japanese world champion, Saludar indicated the adjustments will be done inside the ring, which will depend on how Tanaka fights.

He revealed he had discussed strategy with his coach and the plan is to |always be in a position in  front of him, “so I would always be ready to strike anytime and to make fast adjustments.”

Saludar believes his advantage is that Tanaka is not a powerful puncher.

“I would focus on that weakness and will try to catch him if there’s an opening. At the same time, I have to be careful against his punches that sometimes come  quickly,” said Saludar.

Tanaka, in only his second fight as a pro, fought world-rated Filipino Ronelle Ferreras and won a comfortable victory. In that bout, Tanaka demonstrated his speed and skills, despite having to take some solid body shots on the way to an eight-round unanimous decision  on March 16, 2014.

Tanaka won the vacant world title with a stunning 12th-round unanimous decision over Mexico’s favored Julian Yedras on May 30 this year.

http://thestandard.com.ph/sports/195486/saludar-gets-toughest-challenge-yet.html