By JM Siasat

 

PASAY CITY, Philippines- Filipino flyweight prospect Froilan “The Sniper” Saludar improved his record to 16W-0L-1D, 11KO’s after beating the tough and game Jose Alfredo Tirado (27-12, 19KO’s) of Mexico. He also captures the interim WBO Oriental flyweight title.

The bout was filled with back and forth action. Tirado started quick with a double jab to which Saludar answered with his own jabs. Tirado was aggressive but Saludar was more dominant with his power and ring generalship.

Tirado came out swinging in round 2. Both traded punches in the middle of the ring just a few seconds into the round. Tirado was all attack though it was Saludar who's landing more accurate punches.

High octane action was witnessed in round 4 as both fighters landed clean hard shots. Saludar tamed Tirado’s attack with his jab and body shots, effectively slowing the Mexican.

Tirado bull rushed Saludar in the opening seconds of round 5. Tirado was consistent with his attack, but Saludar tried to answer with movement and jabs. However, Tirado got the best of him.

The fight was taken on the inside in round 8. Tirado was busy attacking the body while Saludar used his jab to set up his right hand. Tirado was momentarily hurt with a 1-2 combination but went on the attack soon afterwards.

Tirado was still consistent with his attack in round 9. Tirado landed a hard right hand in the middle of round 9 that started a slugfest.

Saludar hurt Tirado with a series of uppercuts and straight rights in the opening seconds of round 11 but the Mexican kept coming even while hurt.

Saludar displayed good footwork and patience in the last round. Tirado was still consistent on the attack and gave his all in the last 10 seconds - only to get tied up by Saludar.

It was a tougher fight than expected but in the end Saludar won by unanimous decision. The scores were 120-108, 119-109 and 118-110.

"It's a learning experience for both of us. Froilan had to know how to survive a fight like this," told Saludar's trainer Joven Jimenez.

Saludar also acknowledged his opponent after the fight. “He is tough. He hurt me several times with body shots and I also got tired, I just didn’t let him notice”.

In the co-main event, Mark Melligen (23-3, 16KO's) stopped Sapapetch Sor Sakaorat (28-11, 18KO's) in 2.

Jerwin Ancajas (15-1, 7KO's) was also on the undercard against Miguel Tamayo (12-4, 11KO's). Ancajas outboxed his opponent for 9 rounds then eventually stopped him in 10.

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