Julaton eyes impressive win vs Salazar for world title shot

MANILA, Philippines – Ana “The Hurricane” Julaton returns to the ring on August 17 against rising star Celina Salazar at Plaza de Toros in Cancun, Quintana Roo, Mexico.

The Fil-American boxer, who is coming off two impressive wins since losing the WBO junior featherweight title to Yesica Marcos last year, is now undergoing deep training in Las Vegas in her bid to make it three straight for a chance at another title shot possibly against IBF bantamweight champion Yazmin Rivas.

Talks are ripe that Julaton is being primed up to challenge Rivas in the undercard of the Floyd Mayweather-Saul “Canelo” Alvarez fight in September which was first reported by Ben Thompson of fighthype.com.

But the 33-year old former WBO and IBA world champion is not looking past the 24-year old Salazar, who is raring to bounce back from her first professional loss at the hands of former WIBA flyweight champion Melinda Cooper last year.

“Training is fantastic here in Las Vegas. The heat reaches to 120 degrees Farenheit which is why I've been training here since 2011 to help prepare me for Mexico's weather when I fight outdoors,” Julaton said in an email to Philstar.com on Monday. 

The Fil-American boxer, whose real name is Luciana Bonifacio Julaton and traces her roots to Pangasinan, feels that her power punching is getting stronger under her coach and adviser Angelo Reyes.

It was very evident when she knocked out Abigail Ramos of Mexico 19 seconds into the first round in her last fight in what went down as the fastest knockout in the boxing history of Yucatan, Mexico.

“I’m really focused on my fighting style and game plan. My past opponents have tasted my renewed power punching I’ve been working on with coach Reyes,” Julaton said. “I guarantee an entertaining fight for everyone.”

Ana Julaton is being flanked by his Canadian promoter Allan Tremblay of Orion Sports Management and her coach/adviser Angelo Reyes

Ronny Turiaf, who won an NBA title with Miami Heat and now plays for Minnesota Timberwolves, have recently visitied Julaton’s camp. Turiaf, who also played for the Los Angeles Lakers, flew down with his team IVC Global Management to watch her train.

“I had Ronny do some Boxing workouts so he can feel what it's like first hand. Ronny said he'll be coming to watch my fight in Cancun on August 17th," Julaton said.

Ana Julaton with NBA player Ronny Turiaf

Julaton is also banking on the Filipino community’s support in her bid to get a crack at another world title bet.

“I carry the pride of all Filipinas with me around the world,” Julaton said. “I want to inspire people to know that they can do anything and be anything as long as they believe.”

The Julaton-Salazar 10-round non-title bout will be the co-main event of Golden Boy Promotions’ August 17 fight card will also feature the WBC super featherweight championship between Japanese champion Takashi Miura against Cancun’s hometown boy Sergio “Yeyo” Thompson.

The bouts will be televised by Fox Sports in the US and Televisa and Fox Deportes in Mexico.