WORLD Boxing Association (WBA) minimumweight champion Vic “The Vicious” Saludar III will defend his crown against Dominican Republic’s Erick “Mini Pacman” Pacheco Rosa on Wednesday at the Hotel Catalonia Malecon Center in Santo Domingo.
Saludar, 31, arrived in the Dominican Republic capital on Wednesday and dedicated his title defense to the victims of Typhoon Odette which ravaged many parts of the Visayas and Mindanao last week.
“This fight is for my fellow Filipinos who were hit by typhoon Odette,” Saludar (21-4 win-loss record with 11 knockouts) posted on his Facebook page, noting that he’s ready for the challenge of the 21-year-old Rosa who is unbeaten in four fights with one knockout.
“He hasn’t met the caliber of boxers that I encountered. I’m ready,” Saludar added.
Saludar and Rosa, winner of three regional titles in four bouts, both passed the official weigh-in at 105 pounds without any trouble.
Saludar, a former World Boxing Organization minimumweight champion, is accompanied by trainer Jojo Palacios.
The winner will face unbeaten WBA Super minimumweight champion Thammanoon Niyomtrong (21-0 with seven knockouts) of Thailand next year.