Saludar, Pumar dispute WBO AsPac title Saturday

MANILA—Top ring prospect Froilan “The Sniper” Saludar tries to add veteran Gabriel Pumar to his streak of knockout victims when they tangle for the World Boxing Organization Asia Pacific flyweight title on Saturday at the Island Cove Hotel and Leisure Park in Kawit, Cavite.

The 22-year-old Saludar, who has stopped his last six opponents, the last two right in the first round, is heavily favored to hand Pumar, 25, a third straight loss in the fight card to be aired over AKTV on IBC Channel 13 at 9 p.m.

Saludar, older brother of Guangzhou Asian Games gold medalist Rey and bronze medalist Victorio, however, refused to be complacent, saying that he’s been training three hours everyday in the last two months, including sparring sessions with heavier Thai fighters for three weeks in Bangkok.

“We’’ll just see what happens in the ring,” said Saludar, current WBO Youth flyweight champion and owner of a 12-win (nine by KO), 1-draw record.

Still sporting a left black eye he got from sparring with Johnreil Casimiro recently, Lapu-Lapu City’s Pumar (16-6-1 with nine KOs) said he’d give everything to get back on the winning track.

Pumar, a southpaw like Saludar, once held the World Boxing Council international minimumweight title.

Though he hails from Digos, Davao del Sur, Saludar, now fights mainly in Cavite, being an adopted son of Imus. Ranked No. 4 by the WBO, he is regarded as one of the Philippines’ best prospect for another world title.

Saludar and Pumar, who is fighting at 112 lbs for the first time, appeared in a press conference hosted by TV5 at Max’s Restaurant on Scout Tuazon, Quezon City, yesterday.

The 72-round card put up by SGG Promotions of Sammy Gello-ani and TV 5, also features the 10-round super featherweight (133 lb) tussle between Manila’s Jose Ocampo (14-0-1 with nine KOs) and Rey “Malone” Labao (19-3 with 13 KOs) of Liloan, Leyte.

The press conference was also attended by WBO Asia Pacific vice president Leon Panoncillo, who’ll be the fight supervisor, and TV5 PR executive Peachy Guioguio.

Other 10-round encounters pit super flyweight Jerwin Ancajas and super lightweight Adonis Cabalquinto, both of Imus, against Bacolod City’s Jason Egera and Benguet’s Alejandro Anas, respectively.