By Adrian Stewart Co
Victorio Saludar clinched the vacant World Boxing Association (WBA) world minimumweight championship with a split decision victory over fellow Filipino Robert Paradero on Saturday at the Biñan Football Stadium in Biñan, Laguna.
The Polomolok, Cotabato del Sur-native Saludar is a world champion anew after getting the nod of judges Aquil Tamano (115-113) and Danrex Tapdasan (116-112), while judge Alfie Jocosol gave it to Paradero (118-110).
The camp of Paradero, however, was stunned with the outcome with the Malaybalay City, Bukidnon-native’s manager Toto Sajulga mulling to file a protest with the WBA for a possible rematch.
Paradero showed his aggressiveness in the opening round but his punches were wild and wide. Saludar was also tentative with his attacks but still managed to land some counters.
Paradero continued with his wild hits in the second period leading him to sustain a very short cut outside of his right eye following a head clash with Saludar. It hardly affected him, however, in the succeeding rounds.
Saludar, a former World Boxing Organization minimumweight titleholder, woke up from his slow start as he showed his firepower in the third, fourth and fifth rounds as Paradero went on with his wild attempts.
Paradero, however, was slowed down further in the sixth, seventh and eighth rounds with Saludar dictating the tempo with his shots to the body and straight hits. Paradero showed some life in the ninth with his jabs while keeping Saludar at bay.
Sensing that the match was close, Paradero became aggressive anew in the 12th and final round as he landed a huge right hand, but he was caught in the round by a counter attack from Saludar.
With the victory, Saludar annexed his second world championship as he improved to 21-4-0 win-loss-draw ring record with 11 knockout wins, while Paradero suffered his first loss in 19 matches.
Meanwhile, Carl Jammes Martin (17-0-0, 15 KOs) scored a fifth round technical knockout win over Joe Tejones (13-8-0 KOs), while Archiel Villamor (1-0-0) debuted with a majority decision win over Leslie Manalo (0-3-0)./ASC, WDJ