Vic Saludar (L) and Robert Paradero.
Another Filipino vs Filipino title matchup has been scheduled, this time between former stablemates Vic Saludar and Robert Paradero for the WBA 'regular' minimumweight title on December 3 at the Elorde Sports Center in Paranaque City.
Saludar, the former WBO minimumweight champion, is rated No. 4 by the WBA in the 105 division while Paradero is rated at No. 5. Saludar is also rated No. 2 by the WBO while Paradero is rated No. 6 by the IBF and No. 15 by the WBO. Thammanoon Niyomtrong alias Knockout CP Freshmart of Thailand, who held the belt since 2014, is the WBA super champion of the division.
Bebot Elorde who promotes and negotiated this fight with the WBA, told Philboxing that because of the Covid-19 pandemic, the WBA has approved two Filipino combantants to vie for the 'vacant' title as fights between different nationalities become complicated because of the health protocols. Elorde also said officials for the fight will be all Filipinos.
Saludar (20-4-0, 11KOs) from Polomolok, Cotabato and the undefeated Bukidnon-native Paradero (18-0-0, 12KOs) used to be stablemates and fought under the banner of Kenneth Rontal's Championship Boxing Development Philippines (CBDP). Elorde however said that Paradero is no longer tied with Rontal but remained with his manager Dr. Salugaol.
Saludar last fought on Dec. 21, 2019 in Naga, Cebu against Mike Kinaadman which he won by 6th round knockout while Paradero last fought on April 5, 2019 in Malaybalay, Bukidnon against Jonathan Almacen for a first round knockout victory.
It took 93 years to have another Filipino vs Filipino world title fight to take place since the Pancho Villa vs Clever Sencio flyweight championship on May 2, 1925 in Manila but when Jerwin Ancajas and Jonas Sultan broke the ice for their IBF super flyweight title in Fresno, California on May 26, 2018, it didn't take long for other Filipino world title pairings to follow which gave a positive outlook of the current crop of Filipino fighters.
After the Ancajas vs Sultan, we had the Donnie Nietes vs Aston Palicte WBO superfly fight on Sep. 8, 2018 at The Forum in Los Angeles and then the Pedro Taduran vs Samuel Salva IBF minimum title on Sep. 7, 2019 in Taguig, Metro Manila and now the Saludar vs Paradero on Dec. 3, 2020 in Paranaque City.
Comments
Share your thoughts on the above article by Dong Secuya.