Saludar brods strike again; Rey secures bronze medal

GUANGZHOU—Flyweight Rey Saludar blasted his Nepalese foe in the first round, assuring the Philippines of a bronze medal at the 16th Asian Games boxing competition here. Saludar, 23, son of a poor farmer from Cotabato, rained blows on Puran Rai at the opening bell that resulted in mandatory eight counts. Chinese referee Wang Jiabo stopped the contest in 1:41 of the first round. Saludar, who was ahead, 4-0, when Wang waved Rai, next fights flashy Susa Katsuaki of Japan in the semifinals on Wednesday, going for a crack at the gold after drawing a bye. Rey’s sparkling win in the opening bout of the evening session was an overwhelming follow-up to younger brother Victorio’s one-sided points win earlier yesterday. The 20-year-old Victorio, a gold medalist in the Tammer Cup like Rey, swamped Jumayev Zarip of Turkmenistan, 12-3, pouring it all in the final round after a tentative start. Victorio, who fights talented Amandeep Singh of India on Monday, said he started cautiously because he had no idea about Zarip. It was not the case with his elder brother who stormed out of the corner and rained blinding punches with relentless fury. A third Filipino in the card, welterweight Wilfredo Lopez, was to go up against Pakistan’s Hussain Arshad as of press time. “He’s always had that power punch but is now more discerning in using it,” said boxing association executive director Ed Picson.  “I have high hopes for los hermanos Saludares.”