MANILA, Philippines ? Froilan Saludar isn’t accustomed to experiencing adversity in the ring. The 22-year-old flyweight prospect has barely lost a round since turning pro two years ago.
However, it?s a different story outside of the ring, where no one is immune from tragedy.
Saludar (13-0-1, 10 knockouts), of Polomolok, South Cotabato, Philippines, is returning to the ring on Friday, Dec. 23, for the first time since August against late replacement Samuel Apuya (7-6, 4 KOs) at the Imus Plaza Covered Court in Imus, Cavite, Philippines. The four-month respite was the longest of his brief career, but he wasn’t relaxing on holiday.
Saludar had to do what no parent ever imagines having to; he buried his newborn son.
Shortly after dispatching of Filipino journeyman Gabriel Pumar in ten rounds on August 6, Saludar’s wife of two years went into labor with their second child two months premature. The boy died shortly after, leaving Saludar distraught. A bout scheduled for September 17 was nixed and Saludar returned home to be with his family in the Mindanao province of Davao.
With a wife and a 2-year-old son to support, Saludar collected himself and made the northbound flight in October to Manila to resume his training and continue his boxing career.
?After my son was buried, I just thought that I have to keep on boxing because boxing is my life, my work,? said Saludar. ?I accepted what happened and focused on my boxing career.?
Known as “The Sniper” for his powerful right cross, Saludar bears a striking resemblance to Luisito Espinosa, the former bantamweight and featherweight beltholder who is sort-of responsible for his path to the sport. Saludar says he first became interested in boxing after viewing Espinosa’s successful featherweight title defense over Cesar Soto in 1996 when he was just seven years old.
