Salud not taking Pacquiao lightly

If International Boxing Federation (IBF) superbantamweight champion Manny Pacquiao expects some friendly sparring from Jesus Salud in their three-round exhibition bout at the Neal Blaisdell Arena in Honolulu tonight (tomorrow, Manila time), he’s in for a rude awakening.

Salud isn’t the type to engage in light fireworks. When the bell rings, he sees only red–like a bull primed for a last fight. Besides, Salud is hoping a solid showing will boost his chances of clinching another shot at the world title.

The exhibition is a bonus attraction in promoter Gabriel (Bebot) Elorde, Jr.’s blockbuster card dubbed "Showdown in Honolulu." The main event features World Boxing Council (WBC) International superflyweight titlist Gerry Peñalosa staking his crown against Japanese contender Seiji Tanaka. Also in the bill is a 10-round bout between WBC International lightflyweight champion Juanito Rubillar and former Japanese 108-pound titleholder Takayuki Korogi.

What promises to bring the house down is the Pacquiao-Salud exhibition.

Salud, 39, is a national hero in Hawaii. The full-blooded Filipino was born in Sinait, Ilocos Sur, and moved to Waianae with his family when he was seven years old. He grew up in Nanakuli, Waipahu, and turned pro in 1983. Salud was discovered by legendary trainer Al Silva. His early managers were Wes Wambold and Bobby DePhilippis. He is now managed by Leon Panoncillo, a Hawaiian of Filipino descent.

Salud raced to a 20-0 record before losing his first bout to Frankie Duarte in 1986. A rugged brawler with a brutal left hook, Salud captured the World Boxing Association (WBA) junior featherweight crown via a ninth round disqualification of Juan Jose (Dinamita) Estrada of Mexico in 1989. He was stripped of the title for refusing to defend it against Luis Mendoza in Colombia but annexed the International Boxing Council (IBC) version of the championship by stopping Martin Ortegon in 1990. Salud never bothered to defend the inconsequential IBC title.

Since losing the WBA diadem, Salud has failed in six attempts to capture another world crown. He was outpointed by Welcome Ncita in an IBF title fight in 1992 and by Kennedy McKinney in another IBF bout the next year. Salud also lost decisions to Antonio Cermeno in a WBA match in 1995, Vuyani Bungu in an IBF fight in 1996, and Kevin Kelley in a World Boxing Union (WBU) bout in 1997. Two years ago, Salud was stopped–but never hit the deck–in bowing to Marco Antonio Barrera in a World Boxing Organization (WBO) title fight in Nevada.

To prove his awesome power, Salud has scored 16 knockouts in the first three rounds. Among his Filipino victims were Joe Hiyas, Edel Geronimo, Allan Makitoki, and Bert Granciosa. Salud’s record is 63-13, with 38 KOs.

Salud has lost his last two outings on points to top 10 contenders Juan Carlos Ramirez and William Abelyian but he’s not giving up on his dream to claim a second world title before retiring.

"I’m a young 37," he said two years ago. "I’ve taken care of myself. I still have a lot of fight left in me. I’ve been lucky. I’ve had hard fights but I haven’t taken too much punishment. I know I’m at a crossroads. If I can win one more title, my dream is to come home and defend it in Hawaii. The spirit I feel in Hawaii just lifts me up in the ring. I hope I can pay them back someday with a world championship fight."

Salud has compiled a 34-1 record in Hawaii fights. His only loss was to Fernando (Bobby Boy) Velardez last year. Salud never fails to show his best in front of his loyal Hawaiian fans. That’s why he’s expected to surprise Pacquiao tonight. The homecrowd will definitely be Salud’s inspiration.

Salud’s style is perfect for Pacquiao because he doesn’t back off. He likes to fight up close and bang away. Pacquiao wouldn’t have it any other way.

There’s a possibility that Salud–who moonlights as the director of community relations for the arena football club Hawaiian Islanders–may fight in the Philippines in the future. If he comes, it will be a sentimental homecoming for the Ilocano who now lives in San Diego.

Pacquioa will proceed to Los Angeles from Honolulu. He will train at Freddie Roach’s Wild Card Gym in Hollywood until he flies back to Manila two weeks before his defense against Fahprakob Rakkiat-Gym of Thailand in Davao City on Oct. 19.

Peñalosa, who left here last April to train under Roach in Hollywood, will return to Manila after the Tanaka fight. He will stay here for a month then go back to train in Roach’s gym for his rematch against WBC superflyweight titlist Masamori: Tokuyama in Osaka on Nov. 8.