WORLD Boxing Association (WBA) minimumweight champion Vic Saludar and mandatory challenger Erick Rosa have reached an agreement to fight each other in December.
Saludar makes his first title defense against Rosa on Dec. 9, 2021 in Santo Domingo, Dominican Republic.
Saludar and Rosa were ordered by the WBA Championships Committee to fight each other on Aug. 26, 2021 and both camps quickly agreed to terms. Shuan Boxing, Rosa’s promoter, will be promoting the event.
The 30-year-old Saludar won the WBA minimumweight strap after a hard-fought split decision over fellow Filipino Robert Paradero on Feb. 20 in Biñan City, Laguna.
Saludar is a two-time world titleholder and previously held the World Boxing Organization (WBO) minimumweight belt. He won the WBO minimumweight belt after dethroning Ryuya Yamanaka via a convincing unanimous decision in 2018 in Japan. He returned to Japan the next year and successfully defended the WBO belt with a lopsided unanimous decision over Masataka Taniguchi.
Saludar lost his WBO title after losing to Wilfredo Mendez by unanimous decision in Puerto Rico on Aug. 24, 2019.
Meanwhile, Rosa became Saludar’s mandatory challenger after the WBA recently abolished its interim titles. The WBA made all interim champions, which includes Rosa, as mandatory challengers for the regular WBA titleholders.
The 21-year-old Rosa is new to the pro ranks and made his pro debut in 2020. His ascent in boxing was very quick as he was immediately given a shot at a regional belt in his pro debut. He fought for the interim WBA minimumweight belt in his fourth fight and beat then unbeaten Ricardo Astuvilca by unanimous decision.
Saludar is 21-4 with 11 knockouts, while Rosa, called “Mini Pacman,” is 4-0 with a knockout. (EKA)