SALUDAR VOWS TO WOW MANDAUE FANS

Ex-world title challenger Vic Saludar battles Landero; fight card will also have women’s bout between Morton and Kongsang

On the brink of another world title shot, one-time world title challenger Vic Saludar puts at stake his lofty world ranking against hungry up-and-comer Toto Landero in the main event of “Engkwentro sa Mandaue: Visayas vs. Mindanao” tonight at the Mandaue Sports Complex.

“I will give everyone an impressive fight,” said the 26-year- old Saludar, a native of Polomolok.

Saludar will be in a 10-round non-title fight with the 21-yearold Landero.

“I will do my best to beat him,” said Landero, who is ranked 37th in the World Boxing Council (WBC).

Saludar is currently rated at No. 2 in the World Boxing Organization (WBO), where Japanese Tatsuya Fukuhara is the current belt holder. He is also ranked No. 10 in the International Boxing Federation (IBF), No. 12 in the WBC and No. 14 in the World Boxing Association (WBA). So a win over Saludar should boost Landero up the minimumweight ladder. Saludar is 14-2 with nine knockouts, while Landero is 8-1-2 with two knockouts.

Omega Boxing Gym mainstayJimboy Haya (10-3-2, 6 KOs) trades leathers with 18-year-old knockout artist Vince Paras (10- 0, 9 KOs) for the vacant WBO Asia-Pacific Youth light flyweight title in the main supporting bout.

The event’s highlight is a women’s special attraction six-rounder between Hawaiian Casey Morton (4-0-3) and Thai Phannaluk Kongsang (0-2).

“I’m very excited to fight here in Cebu. The team has worked very hard. I hope to satisfy the fans here in Cebu,” said Morton, who is based in San Diego.

Morton is a decorated am- ateur fighter. She will be campaigning in Asia and is targeting a world title in the WBO.

Froilan Saludar (24-2-1, 15 KOs) squares off with Haya’s Omega Boxing Gym stablemate Salatiel Amit (10-2-2, 7 KOs), while undefeated Robert Paradero (13-0, 8 KOs) slugs it out with late sub Charlie Malupangue (5-2-3, 4 Kos).

The boxing promoted by Championship Boxing Development starts off with five amateur bouts. /

SUNSTAR FOTO / EDRI K. AZNAR RARE ATTRACTION. Engkwentro sa Mandaue will also feature a rare women’s boxing fight between Casey Morton and Phannaluk Kongsang.