Pumar poses toughest test to Saludar

MANILA, Philippines - Froilan Saludar, undefeated in a dozen fights as a pro, will face the toughest test of his young career when he climbs the ring against Gabriel Pumar at the Island Cove Hotel in Kawit, Cavite on Saturday.

If Saludar gets past Pumar, he keeps his WBO World Youth and WBO Asia-Pacific Youth flyweight titles. More than that, he should move a notch or two higher in the WBO rankings.

Saludar, younger brother of 2010 Asian Games gold medalist Rey Saludar and bronze medalist Victorio Saludar, is currently ranked No. 4 by the WBO, according to its supervisor, Leon Panoncillo.

“If he wins here, it will gain him tremendous respect from the organization,” said Panoncillo.

But fight promoter, Sammy Gello-Ani, said in yesterday’s press conference that since Brian Viloria is the reigning WBO flyweight champ, he’s not what they’re looking at for Saludar.

“This should be a stepping stone for Froilan for the next level. But it doesn’t mean we’re looking at Brian. Froilan can wait for his moment. What’s important is for him to prove himself first,” said Gello-Ani.

Pumar is certainly the right opponent for Saludar in the card to be presented by AKTV and aired on IBC 13 starting at 9 p.m. Seven bouts, including one between Jose Ocampo and Rey Labao, will spice up the main event.

Pumar came to the press conference sporting a black eye he sustained in recent sparring. Both fighters kept their cards close to their chest, and responded to questions with their heads bowed.

 “Sorry na lang,” whispered Saludar, 22, when asked how it feels being ranged against a fellow Filipino in a fight he should win.

“Let’s see it in the ring,” said the 25-year-old Pumar in Filipino, in a very soft voice.

Saludar is 12-0 with nine knockouts, but hasn’t fought overseas, while Pumar, a 5’6” an inch taller, has fought his last seven fights in Japan. He lost his last two to Japanese foes, but looked every inch a tough fighter.

 “Why should we get a foreigner, like a Thai boxer, whom Saludar will dispose of in one round? That way, he cannot prove himself. If he puts up a very good fight, we can start planning bigger things for him,” Gello-Ani said.