Revenge on Saludar’s mind

MANILA, Philippines — Former regular WBA minimumweight champion Vic Saludar has only one thing in mind – to exact revenge on Erick Rosa who took away his crown via a disputed split 12-round decision in the Dominican Republic last December. But to seal a rematch with Rosa, Saludar has to beat Puerto Rican Oscar Collazo in an eliminator at the Crypto.com Arena in Los Angeles on July 16.

Saludar, 31, raised a howl when Rosa snatched his WBA strap. Panamanian referee Guillermo Perez Pineda ruled a knockdown in the third round as Saludar lost his balance and fell from a left to the head but was up in a flash. In the ninth, Pineda called another knockdown although it was clear Saludar slipped. Saludar decked Rosa in the 10th and seized control of the bout only to later be declared loser. GAB chairman Baham Mitra protested the verdict to WBA president Jesus Mendoza who then called for a zoom meeting with WBA championship committee chairman Carlos Chavez, Saludar’s manager Kenneth Rontal and Mitra himself. Mendoza eventually decided to hold an eliminator between No. 1 Saludar and No. 2 Collazo for the right to challenge Rosa.

Golden Boy Promotions matchmaker Robert Diaz forwarded the contract, stipulating a $25,000 fee for Saludar, to seal the deal. Rontal and trainer Jojo Palacios will accompany Saludar to Los Angeles. “We’re prepared for this,” said Rontal. “Collazo is a volume puncher and always moving.” Experience will be on Saludar’s side as he has a record of 21-5, with 11 KOs compared to Collazo’s 4-0, with 3 KOs. A southpaw, Collazo won a gold medal as a lightflyweight for Puerto Rico at the 2019 Pan American Games in Lima. Collazo, 25, turned pro in 2020 and by then, Saludar had won the WBO minimumweight belt and lost it on his second defense. When Collazo made his pro debut, Saludar had already appeared in 24 fights.