Saludar joins Suarez in President’s Cup finals

ALMATY, Kazakhstan—The Philippines now has two power-punching boxers fighting for the gold medal in the 4th President’s Cup here.

Rey Saludar edged London Olympian Ilyas Seleimenov of Kazakhstan by split decision in their flyweight semifinal clash Saturday to join PLDT-Abap teammate Charly Suarez in the gold-medal bouts tomorrow at Baluak Sholan Palace of Culture and Sports.

All three judges had identical scores of 29-28 with two favoring the 2010 Asian Games champion Saludar, who repeatedly scored with double left straights as instructed by national coaches Nolito Velasco and Elmer Pamisa.

Saludar, a 26-year-old Army pug, complained of wayward elbows and headbutts but was told by the coaches to just keep his focus on the fight.