After faltering in his first attempt at a world title, Vic “Vicious” Saludar will return to the ring on April 2 in General Santos City.
The 25-year old Saludar of South Cotabato will try to defend his WBO Asia Pacific minimum weight title against Valenzuela City’s Lito Dante in the double main event fight card promoted by Amoy Boxing Promotions.
Saludar is looking to get back on track after losing to Japanese Kosei Tanaka via a sixth round knockout last January in Japan.
The loss denied Saludar from bringing home the WBO world minimum weight belt.
Saludar, currently being promoted by the famed ALA Promotions International, has a record of 11 wins with nine knockouts and two losses.
ALA Promotions International CEO Michael P. Aldeguer told Cebu Daily News that Saludar is in his final year of his contract.
Aldeguer said ALA Promotions is hoping to renew its contract with Saludar.
“It’s his last year with us and we hope that we will have good negotiations with his manager. It was a traumatic loss for him but he fought his best there, he was able to knock down Tanaka. We know he’s a very talented boxer and we hope he will return with us,” said Aldeguer.
Dante, on the other hand, is the current Philippine-Luzon Professional Boxing Association minimum weight champion with a record of 11 wins (6 KOs, five losses and three draws).
Dante fought and lost in South Africa against Siyabonga Siyo for the vacant WBA International minimum weight title.
Also set to see action in the card is Saludar’s older brother Froilan.
Froilan is looking to extend his winning streak to five as he is set to fight journeyman Nicardo Calamba (6-21-4,3KOs) for a 10-rounder non-title bout.
Froilan has 23 wins with 14 knockouts along with a single loss and a single draw.