By Adrian Stewart Co

South Cotabato native Vic Saludar successfully retained his World Boxing Organization world minimumweight title after defeating Japanese fighter Masataka Taniguchi via unanimous decision last Tuesday at the Korakuen Hall in Tokyo, Japan.

The Pinoy boxer was dominant in the first three rounds, unloading body shots on Taniguchi. His opponent responded in the subsequent rounds, managing to land some shots, but the Filipino remained unfazed. Saludar continued to control the fight in the second half; however, the Japanese fighter made a move in the eighth round and rocked the Filipino with combination punches.

With Saludar dominating the final two rounds, the judges scored the fight 118-110, 117-111, 117-111 in favor of the defending champion.

The fight leaves the Filipino boxer with a 19-3 win-loss record./ASC, WDJ