Philippines, 04 Jul 2025
  Home >> News

 


BOXERS

CURRENT CHAMPIONS 

FORMER CHAMPIONS   

RATINGS                       

NEWS           

FORUM        

FIGHT GALLERIES        

RING CARD GIRLS        


 
 
News  


FORMER WORLD CHAMPION FRANCISCO 'EL BANDIDO' VARGAS TO FACE 'LIGHTNING' ROD SALKA IN APRIL 12

PhilBoxing.com


IN THE MAIN EVENT OF GOLDEN BOY BOXING ON ESPN AT FANTASY SPRINGS RESORT CASINO

UNDERCARD TO BE STACKED WITH EXCITING TALENT FROM THE EXCLUSIVE GOLDEN BOY PROMOTIONS STABLE

Tickets on Sale Friday, March 16 at 10:00 a.m. PT!


LOS ANGELES (March 15, 2018): Two-time Fight of the Year winner and former WBC Super Featherweight World Champion Francisco "El Bandido" Vargas (24-1-2, 17 KOs) will continue his effort to regain a world title as he faces "Lightning" Rod Salka (24-4, 4 KOs) in a 10-round super featherweight fight in the main event of the April 12 edition of
Golden Boy Boxing on ESPN at Fantasy Springs Resort Casino in Indio, Calif. ESPN2 and ESPN Deportes will air the fights beginning at 10:00 p.m. ET/7:00 p.m. PT, and stream live on ESPN3 starting at 8:30 p.m. ET/5:30 p.m. PT.

Known for his relentless attack in the ring, "El Bandido" has never shied away from stealing the show with his crowd-rallying style. The 33-year-old native of Mexico City, Mexico has two Fight of the Year performances on his resume, earned in wars against former world champions Takashi Miura and Orlando "Siri" Salido. Vargas is eager to regain the title he lost in yet another war against Miguel "El Alacran" Berchelt, but only if victorious on April 12.

"I want to become world champion again," said Francisco Vargas. "As always, I am working with discipline. I'll deliver a great performance and Rod Salka will not stop me from doing that."

Salka will enter the ring with high hopes to leave a lasting impression in the 130-pound division, the weight class in which he belongs. Salka has had tough losses against much bigger opponents, though he has slowly moved down and has left his last five fights with his hand raised in victory. The 35-year-old native of Bunola, Pennsylvania is excited to fight in a new, more comfortable division and is hungry to prove that he can earn a world title there.

"I'm excited to be at 130 pounds," said Rod Salka. "Francisco Vargas stands in the way of me fighting [Miguel] Berchelt, so he has to be eliminated. I can't wait for April 12."

San Diego's Genaro "El Conde" Gamez (7-0, 5 KOs) will return to Fantasy Springs Resort Casino after his fourth-round technical knockout victory over the Mexican pugilist Miguel Angel "Terry" Mendoza on Feb. 22. "El Conde" will go up against Filipino boxer Recky "The Terror" Dulay (10-3, 7 KOs) in a scheduled 8-round lightweight fight.

Hoping to catch the ESPN2 coverage in the night's swing bout, Javier Martinez (5-0, 3 KOs), the rising prospect under the guidance of renowned trainer Joel Diaz, will participate in a six-round featherweight bout. Irish prospect Aaron McKenna (1-0) will return in a four-round fight in the welterweight division.

Coachella's Rommel Caballero will make his professional debut in a four-round super featherweight bout. A decorated amateur, former Junior Olympian and youngest brother to former IBF Bantamweight World Champion Randy "El Matador" Caballero, Rommel will look to make a grand debut before a hometown crowd.

Opening up the card is Rancho Mirage's Javier Padilla (5-0-1, 5 KOs), who will fight in a scheduled six-round super bantamweight affair. Opponents for all these exciting prospects, along with a co-main event, will be announced shortly.

Vargas vs. Salka is a 10-round super featherweight fight presented by Golden Boy Promotions. The event is sponsored by Tecate, "THE OFFICIAL BEER OF BOXING" and Hennessy, "Never Stop, Never Settle." The fights will take place on Thursday, April 12, 2018 at Fantasy Springs Resort Casino. ESPN2 and ESPN Deportes will air the fights beginning at 10:00 p.m. ET/7:00 p.m. PT, and stream live on ESPN3 starting at 8:30 p.m. ET/5:30 p.m. PT.

Tickets for the event go on sale Friday, March 16 at 10:00 a.m. PT and start at $25. Tickets will be available at the Fantasy Springs Resort Casino box office, by calling 1-800-827-2946, or by purchasing online at www.fantasyspringsresort.com.

Media interested in attending Golden Boy Boxing: Vargas vs. Salka must request credentials by emailing clavoie@fantasysprings.net by 5:00 p.m. PT on Friday, April 6.

For more information, visit www.goldenboypromotions.com and http://www.espn.com/boxing/; follow on Twitter @GoldenBoyBoxing, @OscarDeLaHoya, @ESPN, and @ESPNBoxeo; become a fan on Facebook at www.Facebook.com/GoldenBoyBoxing; and follow on Instagram @GoldenBoyBoxing and @OscarDeLaHoya. Follow the conversation using #GBPonESPN.




Recent PhilBoxing.com In-House articles:

  • The Second Rise of Jesse Espinas
    By Carlos Costa, , Fri, 04 Jul 2025
  • Boxing Golden Age Comparison - Philippines and Japan
    By Teodoro Medina Reynoso, , Fri, 04 Jul 2025
  • Kittipong, Magdalena, Kim, Kritiphak Claim Wins in Brico Santig's Show in Bangkok
    By Carlos Costa, , Fri, 04 Jul 2025
  • Kremlev, Crawford, Fury Launch IBA's Golden Era of International Boxing
    , Fri, 04 Jul 2025
  • International Master Angelo Young stays on course for GM norm
    By Marlon Bernardino, , Fri, 04 Jul 2025
  • Robby Gonzales and Yoseline Perez Progress to Semifinals at World Boxing Cup: Astana 2025
    , Fri, 04 Jul 2025
  • Fireworks Ahead: Magsayo vs Mata in Prelims of Pacquiao vs Barrios
    By Carlos Costa, , Thu, 03 Jul 2025
  • Japan's Boxing Golden Age Remains Limited to the Lower Weights
    By Teodoro Medina Reynoso, , Thu, 03 Jul 2025
  • No issues with fight ref
    By Joaquin Henson, , Thu, 03 Jul 2025
  • Round 12 with Mauricio Sulaimàn: Grand Muay Thai event in Verona
    By Mauricio Sulaimán, , Thu, 03 Jul 2025
  • Morelle McCane and Rene Camacho Advance to Quarterfinals of World Boxing Cup: Astana 2025
    , Thu, 03 Jul 2025
  • 3 Division World Champion & Hall of Famer Marco Antonio Barrera Confirmed for Eighth Annual Box Fan Expo, During Mexican Independence Day Weekend, Saturday September 13, in Las Vegas
    , Thu, 03 Jul 2025
  • ESPN Original Series The Fight Life Returns for Season Two on July 7
    , Wed, 02 Jul 2025
  • TOP-RATED LIGHTWEIGHT KO ARTIST ARMANDO MARTINEZ RABI RETURNS
    , Wed, 02 Jul 2025
  • Amazing Muay Thai WBC Festival 2025
    , Wed, 02 Jul 2025
  • Borromeo Leads Winners of the Philippine Speedcubing Championships
    By Marlon Bernardino, , Wed, 02 Jul 2025
  • What If Pacquiao Defeats Barrios?
    By Ralph Rimpell, , Wed, 02 Jul 2025
  • Team USA Earns Three Wins on Day Two of World Boxing Cup: Astana 2025
    , Wed, 02 Jul 2025
  • Women's Boxing Champion Signs with Combate Global, Still Aims For WBC Absolute Gold
    , Wed, 02 Jul 2025
  • Sanman Boxing Presents Hard-Hitting Prospect Abubakar Yanon Set to Challenge for Philippine Boxing Federation Flyweight Title in Malungon, Sarangani Province
    , Wed, 02 Jul 2025
  • Boxing Returns to Tropicana Atlantic City, July 25
    , Wed, 02 Jul 2025
  • THE PAST WEEK IN ACTION 30 June 2025: Zurdo Outpoints Dorticos, Keeps WBA/WBO Cruiser Titles; Mbilli Stops Sulecki in 1; Wins by Kuroki, Wilder and Jake Paul
    By Eric Armit, , Tue, 01 Jul 2025
  • IIEE Titans secured Finals in BPBL, IIEE Chessmasters retain on top level in Bundesliga
    By Marlon Bernardino, , Tue, 01 Jul 2025
  • MARIO BARRIOS LAS VEGAS MEDIA WORKOUT QUOTES
    , Tue, 01 Jul 2025
  • CATTERALL AND EUBANK LAY THEIR 'CARDS ON THE TABLE' AHEAD OF MANCHESTER SHOWDOWN
    , Tue, 01 Jul 2025




  •  



     
    PhilBoxing.com has been created to support every aspiring
    Filipino boxer and the Philippine boxing scene in general.
    Please send comments to feedback@philboxing.com


    PRIVATE POLICY | LEGAL DISCLAIMER
    developed and maintained by dong secuya
    © 2025 philboxing.com.