Kosei Tanaka Defends WBO Belt Against Saludar, 12/31

By Ronnie Nathanielsz

Vic “Vicious” Saludar, the youngest among three boxing brothers, gets a crack at the WBO world minimumweight title currently held by Japan’s 20-year-old Kosei Tanaka on New Year’s eve in Nagoya, Japan.

The 25-year-old Saludar's elder brother Froilan “The Sniper” Saludar was knocked out in the 2nd round of an IBF flyweight title eliminator to McWilliams Arroyo and his other brother is amateur standout Rey who won a gold medal at the Asian Games in China in 2010 has a record of 11-1 with 9 knockouts and is the reigning WBO Asia Pacific title holder following his victory over Indonesia’s Rizky Pratama last September 9.

Saludar won a bronze medal at the Asian Games in 2010.

Saludar’s only loss was to Powell Balaba when he suffered a severe hand fracture during their six round bout on November 23, 2013 and was forced to retire in the 4th round.

Tanaka won the WBO minimumweight title in only his fifth bout and set a Japanese record for winning a world title in the fewest number of fights.

He won the title from Mexico’s Julian Yadras last May 30.

Victor Salazar reported that Tanaka “did well with his speed, power, defense and balance to cruise to victory.”

The title defense of Tanaka was announced yesterday by the Hatanaka Gym with the champion quoted as saying “I’ve been increasing my power and and I’d like to finish my final bout this year in a pleasing fashion.”