FROILAN Saludar expects one of the toughest fights of his budding career as he guns for another regional crown this month.
The 23-year-old Polomolok, Cotabato del Sur native attempts to add the interim World Boxing Organization (WBO) Oriental flyweight strap to his collection as he faces Mexican veteran Jose Alfredo Tirado on Sept. 21 at the Cuneta Astrodome in Pasay City.
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?He had a good training camp. This will be a tough fight because his opponent is a veteran,? Saludar?s manager Joven Jimenez told Sun.Star Cebu yesterday.
Saludar also holds the WBO Asia-Pacific and the WBO Youth flyweight crowns.
Tirado, a 13-year veteran of the sweet science, is the most experienced boxer that Saludar has faced.
But despite the nine year gap in experience, Jimenez expects his young ward, who is rated No. 2 in the WBO, to deliver.
?We expect it to go to 12 but we will try our best for a knockout,? he said.
Tirado owns a win over former world champion Cristian Mijares and has fought the likes of ex-world title contenders Diosdado Gabi, Z Gorres, Luis Maldonado, Raul Martinez and Jesus Jimenez.
Saludar is 15-0-1 with 11 knockouts, while the 32-year-old Tirado is 27-11 with 19 knockouts.
The event also features two other promising prospects?Jerwin Ancajas and Mark Jason Melligen.
The 20-year-old Ancajas (14-1-1, 6 KOs) takes on heavy-handed Mexican Miguel Tamayo (12-3-2, 11 KOs), while Melligen (22-3, 15 KOs) trades leathers with Thai veteran Sapapetch Sor Sakaorat (28-10, 18 KOs).
