Saludar, Melligen face foreign foes

MANILA, Philippines - The Shape Up Boxing Promotion’s Kamao at Maso will feature three big fights on Sept. 21 at the Astrodome in Pasay.

Froilan Saludar, Mark Melligen and Jerwin Ancajas go up against foreign rivals in the event held in honor of the late Shape Up fighter Karlo Maguinto.

Saludar, the reigning WBO Youth flyweight champion, stakes his unbeaten record against Jose Alfredo Tirado of Mexico in the main card of the eight-fight card starting at 6 p.m.

Tirado, 32, has vowed to go for an early knockout.

“I have high respect for Filipino fighters but I came here to launch my international career and I prepared long enough to beat another Filipino fighter,” said Tirado.

Also at stake is the WBO Interim Oriental flyweight title.

Melligen, a former national champion, takes on Sapapetch Sor Sakaorat of Thailand in the undercard, while Ancajas faces another Mexican Miguel Tamayo in an eight-rounder. 

“I decided to venture into boxing promotion to give our local fighters an avenue to show their skills and build their career in the sport. It is also a tribute to (Karlo) Maguinto whose untimely death exposed the sad reality of how our boxers sacrifice life and limb just to get the exposure,” said Shape Up owner and promoter Anson Co Tiu during yesterday’s media launch.

Maquinto, 21, collapsed after his fight against Marc Joseph Costa last Jan. 28 in Caloocan City after suffering from what doctors called “subdural hematoma.” He fell into a coma and died five days later. A native of Lambunao, Iloilo, Maquinto had a record of 8-0 with six knockouts.

Kamao: Kidlat at Maso TV special will be aired on GMA NewsTV on Sept. 23 at 10 p.m. The event is backed by the Pasay government headed by Mayor Antonino Calixto, Tobi, Cooyeesan Hotel, Cherrylume , Sumo G.I. Sheets, Omico, Boysen, MBC, Philpost, AC Harris, SMFI, Heritage Hotel, MNTC, JJS, Creative D’Vision, Digipost, and Metapixel.