VIC Saludar defends his World Boxing Organization (WBO) minimumweight crown against Puerto Rican prospect Wilfredo Martinez on Sunday, Aug. 25, 2019 at the Puerto Rico Convention Center in San Juan.
The 28-year-old Saludar will be making his second title defense. Saludar tipped the scales way below the minimumweight division limit at 103.7 pounds. Mendez, on the other hand, also made weight at 104.3 pounds.
This is the second time for Saludar to defend his WBO minimumweight crown on the road.
Saludar, one of five current world champions from the Philippines, became a world champion after dethroning Ryuya Yamanaka by unanimous decision in 2018.
Saludar successfully defended his belt with one-sided unanimous decision of Japanese challenger Masataka Taniguchi last Feb. 26, 2019. The 22-year-old Mendez is the No. 1 rated minimumweight in the WBO and is the mandatory challenger.
Mendez won the WBO Nabo minimumweight strap with a unanimous verdict over Axel Aragon Vega. He successfully defended it with a split decision over one-time world title contender Janiel Rivera.
The Polomolok, South Cotabato Saludar is 19-3 with 10 knockouts, while Mendez is 13-1 with five knockouts.
Saludar trained in General Santos City and flew to Puerto Rico last Aug. 19.
Aside from Saludar, the country’s current world champions are eight-division champ Manny Pacquio, Nonito Donaire Jr., Jerwin Ancajas and Johnriel Casimero .
“We’re very optimistic of this defense because of Vic’s experience and skill level,” Salodar’s manager Kenneth Rontal said in Quinito Henson’s report posted on PhilBoxing.com. (EKA)