Filipino flyweight prospect Froilan "The Sniper" Saludar (14-0-1, 11KO's) is one of the hottest names in Philippine boxing today. Saludar, who last fought on December 23, 2011, is being set for a March 17 return to defend his WBO youth flyweight title, according to his manager and trainer Joven Jimenez. The 22-year-old prospect started to fight as an amateur when he was 11 years old. Saludar was part of the National team for three years. Being part of the team, he won three gold medals in the National Youth Championship and two gold medals in the National Open Championship. Unlike most professional Filipino boxers, Saludar has an excellent amateur background, having 80 amateur fights.
Saludar is currently ranked the #2 WBO flyweight contender, behind Giovani Segura, and is expected to take the #1 spot after the brave Mexican lost his bid for Brian Viloria's world flyweight title. "The WBO is yet to update their December ratings, where Saludar is placed at #2, but our promoter [Sampson Lewkowicz] has already written a letter. Viloria will have nine months to defend his WBO world flyweight title by the time Saludar is placed at #1," said Jimenez.
With 80 amateur fights and 15 professional fights to date, Saludar's manager feels that his boxer is ready to fight for a world title. "It is our dream to fight Viloria, and Froilan really wants the fight," said Jimenez. As promising as Saludar looks, some might say that the kid is green and can't mix it up with Viloria, but Joven Jimenez thinks otherwise. "Saludar has a big chance of winning. He has class-A fighter skills and a one-punch knockout. He now has 14 wins. I think it's enough experience. He is in good condition," said the confident Jimenez.
Jimenez has big plans for Saludar. One of them is to promote a world title fight in the Philippines, but he also expressed his willingness to take his fighter to the USA when given the chance.
It is no secret that Filipino fans don't embrace the idea of having Filipino vs. Filipino championship matchups, and Jimenez is open to fight the other champions in the flyweight division. "Our boxer is ready. We dream of having a world title fight for Saludar," he commented. Jimenez also like his fighter's advantage over Pongsaklek Wonjongkam (83-3, 44KO's), Hernan Marquez (32-2, 25KO's), and Moruti Mthalane (28-2, 19KO's), noting, "Saludar is tall and has power."
Saludar is currently rated #9 with the IBF and #10 with the WBC, so it is most likely that Saludar gets a shot at Viloria's WBO world flyweight title first. "Viloria would be the toughest, given his excellent condition in his last fight," Jimenez continued. When asked how a possible Viloria-Saludar matchup would end, Jimenez answered, "KO! Saludar is bigger and better, plus he's brave"
Along with Saludar, Jimenez also trains three undefeated fighters, namely Jerwin Ancajas (13-0, 5KO's), Adonis Cabalquinto (10-0, 8 KO's), and Carlos Suello (6-0, 4KO's).
For questions, suggestions and feedback, you can email me at jmsiasat@fighthype.com, follow me on twitter @JMSiasat www.twitter.com/jmsiasat, and you can also add me on facebook at www.facebook.com/jm1boxing