Saludar to defend title against Pacheco

By Lito Delos Reyes

REIGNING World Boxing Association (WBA) World minimum champion Victorio “Vicious” Saludar of Polomolok, South Cotabato will go to Santo Domingo to fight undefeated Erick Rosa “Mini Pacman” Pacheco of Dominican Republic on December 21.

Saludar will leave the country at the end of the month together with trainer Jojo Palacias and another assistant trainer.

Saludar has been training at the Laurente High Camp at Upper London, Barangay Bawing in General Santos City. The 30-year-old Saludar has 21 wins with 11 knockouts against four loses.

He will be joined by two of his sparring partners minimumweight Marco John “Pacific Cyclone” Rementizo of Cagayan de Oro City and light flyweight Jaysever “Lion Hearted” Abcede of Bukidnon, who are both southpaws next month.

Saludar beat Robert Paradero of Bukidnon by a split decision to win the vacant WBA World minimumweight title last February 20 at Binan Football Stadium in Binan City.

Pacheco, on the other hand, recently beat Ricardo Astuvilca of Peru by a unanimous decision to win the WBA Interim world minimumweight title last July 21 at Pabellon de Boloeibol in Santo Domingo.

The 21-year-old Pacheco was even down in round 4 but still won. It was only the first defeat suffered by Astuvilca

The winner between Saludar and Pacheco will face the winner of WBA Gold titlist Leyman Benavidez and WBA no. 2 Byron Rojas as part of a four man WBA Tournament.

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