Saludar gets back at Kazakh rival

MANILA, Philippines - Flyweight Rey Saludar outclassed Kazakh Ilyas Suleimenov, putting off a close decision to post his second straight win in as many days in the 27th Asian Elite Men’s Boxing Championships at the Amman Boxing Arena in Amman, Jordan Tuesday.

Saludar pressed his bid early on and sustained his form in the next two, connecting with hooks and straights. He earned the nods of two judges on two 29-28 cards while the other also had a 29-28 verdict for the Kazakh fighter.

In the new AIBA 10-point must system, only three of the five judges count with the computer choosing which three would decide the match.

It was a big win for Saludar, the 25-year-old Asian Games gold medalist who bowed to Suleimenov, a two-time national champion, in the last Asian Men’s tilt in South Korea in 2011.

Saludar, who outpointed Japan’s Hayashida Syota in the event’s opener Monday, faces Tanes Ongjunta of Thailand Friday. The Thai fighter beat Saudi Arabia’s Samer Humaidi in the other flyweight bout.

Meanwhile, up next for the PLDT-ABAP team is 20-year-old Rogen Ladon, who fights Wednesday against Hasan Naser of Iraq.