Saludar scores back-to-back wins in Asian boxing championship

Rey Saludar. FILE PHOTO

MANILA, Philippines — Filipino boxing bet Rey Saludar racked up back-to-back wins on Wednesday in the 27th Asian Elite Men’s Championship in Amman, Jordan.

Saludar, the country’s Asian Games gold medalist, edged Kazakhstan’s Ilyas Suleimenov as he got the nod of the two judges, 29-28, while the other had it for the Kazakh, also 29-28.

It was sweet revenge for Saludar, who bowed to Suleimenov in the last staging of the event in Incheon, South Korea in 2011. This year, 27 countries sent their boxers to the tournament.

Last Tuesday, Saludar picked up his first win as he fashioned out a close 30-27, 28-29 and 30-27 decision over Japanese Hayashida Syota.

Saludar faces Tanes Ongjunta of Thailand on Friday, also at the new Amman Boxing Arena.