By Mark Vester
WBA super featherweight champion Juan Carlos Salgado (22-0-1, 16KOs) prepares to make the first defense of his title against unbeaten Takashi Uchiyama (13-0, 10KOs) of Japan. The fight will take place at the Tokyo Big Sight in Japan because Salgado owes options to Japanese promoter Akihiko Honda from his last fight. Salgado had a banner year in 2009. He pulled off the upset of the century with a first round demolition of top-rated Jorge Linares.
"I like challenge because I definitely feel the same hunger and the preparation I had when I first went to fight for the championship which I now defend. A year ago I was with my family and had no activity going on in my career. Now everything is good but I don't spend as much time with them but every sacrifice has its rewards and God willing we will return home with the title," Salgado told The Record.
His manager Jaime Quintana says the fight with Uchiyama will be a tough one but they are focused to return with their title in place. Honda wants to get the title back to avenge the Linares loss.
"The first defense will be difficult because the promoter wants to regain the championship at all costs, but Juan Carlos knows that he must do what is necessary to leave with it because he needs to show that he has what it takes to be a great champion," Quintana said.
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