By Bill "Two Scoops" Emes
This Saturday's Showtime televised main event is not winning any popularity contests. Rod Salka (19-3, 3KOs), a big underdog, is moving up to challenge WBC/WBA junior welterweight champion Danny Garcia (28-0, 16KOs) at the Barclays Center in Brooklyn, New York. The fight is a ten round non-title bout.
When Salka was announced as Garcia's next opponent, a tidal wave of criticism came crashing on the fight. Fans and media alike were shocked at the selection of Salka.
Salka himself admits surprise at landing the fight. He was more focused on landing a title shot at WBC lightweight champion Omar Figueroa.
"I was surprised that I got the fight. I didn't expect to get that kind of a fight. I expected to get a world title fight. I figured I might fight Figueroa at 135. He was going to fight his mandatory. I was keeping busy and going to fight here [in Pittsburgh], and then maybe we were going to work something out later. Things happen for whatever reason. I don't know the details [on why I was selected], but I'm sure something had to happen somewhere along the line for this opportunity to take place. I'm not going to sit there and ask people 'are you sure?' I got the contract, I got the opportunity and I'm excited," Salka told BoxingScene.com.
