Saludar shocks Cuban for semis

MANILA, Philippines - Rey Saludar stunned Cuban Luis Cordero Parlay in a tightly-fought duel, eking out a split decision victory to barge into the semifinals of the fourth Kazakhstan President’s Cup in Almaty, Kazakhstan Thursday.

Saludar, the reigning Asian champion, slugged it out with Parlay from opening bell and pulled off a pair of 28-27, 28-27 victories in the first two rounds before hanging tough to clinch the win despite yielding the third round, 27-28.

“He’s a very strong puncher but I think I hurt him more. In the second round, he hit me with a punch in the head that dazed me but I was able to counter and his head snapped back. I think that got him thinking a bit,” said Saludar in Pilipino.

It was indeed a big win by Saludar over the fancied Parlay, who decked Thai star Chatchai Butdee in the first day with a cracking left-right combination.

Saludar thus joined Charly Suarez in the Final Four after the latter whipped local bet Jumsakbaek Wednesday. 

Suarez faces Mongolian Otdondalai Friday while Saludar takes on Kazakhstan’s fancied flyweight Suleimenov Saturday.