Salim loses to Mexican WBC Youth champ

Filipino Reman Salim failed in his bid to win the World Boxing Council Youth superbantam title when he was knocked out by Mexican titleholder Miguel "Mickey Mouse" Roman in the fourth round at the El Poliforo in Ciudad Juarez, Mexico.

The end came at the 2:59 of the fourth round, said Salim's manager Sammy "Don King" Gello-ani, who accompanied his ward in Mexico.

The loss sent the lanky Salim's record to dip to 9-3, 2 KO's record, while Roman improves to 13-0, 9 KO's card.

For Roman, it?s a step toward his ultimate goal: bringing a world title again to Juarez. The last fighter to do so was Cesar Soto, who defeated Luisito Espinosa in 1999 before surrendering his title to Prince Naseem Hamed.

The 20-year-old Roman is already #28 in the WBC?s superbantam world ratings, and is expected to shoot up in the rankings next month.

(Email the writer at salven2judge@yahoo.com)