Filipino-American Ana “The Hurricane” Julaton takes another step toward a title comeback when she faces Celina Salazar on Aug. 17 at Plaza de Toros in Cancun, Mexico.
“I will do my best to make every one proud,” said Julaton via e-mail. She is now being handled by Allan Tremblay, who is charting the career of the 33-year-old fighter (12-3-1 with two knockouts) despite fighting cancer.
The former WBO and IBA women’s super bantamweight titlist has won her last two fights, beating Yolanda Segura by unanimous decision and Abigail Ramos by first-round technical knockout last year both in Yucatan, Mexico.
Mexican fan base
Julaton’s victories earned her a fan base in Mexico, which makes her showdown against the San Antonio-based Salazar a worthy co-main event of the WBC super featherweight title fight between reigning champ Takashi Miura and top contender Cancun-native Sergio “Yeyo” Thompson.
Salazar (4-1-2 with 1 KO) is a rising star in the super bantam division having defeated Nohime Dennison and Christina Ruiz. Her only loss came at the hands of world renowned Melinda Cooper and the 24-year-old’s clash with Julaton is described as “the fight of her life.”
The fight will be televised by Televisa, Fox Sports and Fox Deportes although no local TV network has picked it up yet.
Her return to the ring comes off shocking defeats of top Filipino fighters Manny Pacquiao, Nonito Donaire Jr., and Brian Viloria.
Julaton is the only notable fighter outside the Big 3, although the country has three reigning champs in WBO light flyweight Donnie Nietes, IBF light fly Johnriel Casimero and WBO minimum weight Merlito Sabillo.