By Ian S Palmer
Former WBC Super Bantamweight Champion Luis Nery of Mexico takes on Froilan Saludar of the Philippines in Mexico this Saturday, July 8th. The 12-rounder can be seen live in America on ESPN+. Nery last fought in February when he stopped Art Hovhannisyan in the 11th round of a firefight after dropping him in the 10th. Saludar was last in the ring in October when he halted Crison Omayo in just 87 seconds to snap a two-fight losing skid.
Nery is a 28-year-old southpaw who has an impressive mark of 34-1 with 26 Ko’s and has boxed 173 rounds since making his pro debut in 2012. He stands 5-feet-5-inches tall with a 65-inch reach and possesses above-average power in his fists as he currently boasts a 74.3 per cent knockout ratio. He’s won his last two fights by stoppage in his last five contests after going the distance in his two previous victories. Nery is fan-friendly boxer who throws punches in bunches and also owns a pretty solid chin.
Nery won the vacant WBC Super Bantamweight Title in September, 2020 via a unanimous decision over Aaron Alameda and then was stopped in his first defence by Brandon Figueroa in the seventh round for his lone pro loss. Since turning pro Nery has also captured the vacant WBC Continental Americas Bantamweight Title with a 10-round unanimous decision over Martin Casillas in 2016 and the vacant WBC Silver Bantamweight Title with a fourth-round stoppage over Raymond Tabugon in 2016 after being dropped in the first round.
He then stopped Shinsuke Yamanaka in the fourth round in 2017 to lift the WBC Bantamweight crown. Nery fought Yamanaka in a rematch in March, 2018 but came in overweight to lose the title. However, he still managed to win the fight by second-round stoppage He then won the vacant WBC Silver Bantamweight title again in October, 2018 with a third-round stoppage of Jason Canoy. He defended that belt with a ninth-round KO over Juan Carlos Payano in July, 2019 four months after stopping McJoe Arroyo after four rounds. Since losing to Figueroa he’s bounced back with a split decision win over Carlos Castro for the vacant WBC Silver and the WBO Intercontinental Super Bantamweight Titles, then stopped David Carmona in the third round before halting Hovhannisyan in his last outing.
Saludar is a 34-year-old who owns a record of 33-6-1 with 23 Ko’s and he’s been stopped in three of his six losses. He’s boxed 200 rounds since turning pro in 2009 and also has better-than-average power with a current knockout ratio of 57.5 per cent. He also 5-feet-5-inches tall and his 67-inch reach gives him a two-inch edge in reach on Nery.
Saludar’s losses came at the hands of McWilliams Arroyo in the second round in 2014, Takuma Inoue by 10-round unanimous decision in 2016, Sho Kimura by sixth-round KO in 2018, to Ryoji Fukunaga by seventh round stoppage in 2020, to Andrew Moloney by 12-round unanimous decision in 2021 and by eight-round split decision last year. The fight against Kimura was for the WBO Flyweight Title and the bout against Fukunaga was for the WBO Asia Pacific Title.
Saludar’s lone draw was a technical decision against Brian Dano in 2010. Since turning pro, Saludar has captured the WBO Youth, WBO Asia Pacific Youth, and the WBO Asia Pacific Flyweight Titles as well as the WBO Oriental interim and WBO Asia Pacific Super Flyweight Crowns. Saludar went unbeaten in his first 20 pro outings which were all in the Philippines while all six of his losses have been on the road.
Prediction…
Nery and Saludar are both aggressive action boxers with plenty of power and this should be entertaining while it lasts. Nery is six years younger though, has a bit more power and lets his hands go as often as possible. The fight will most likely come down to chins as there’s going to be a lot of solid shots thrown and landed and this is where Nery has a major advantage and that’s why I’m expecting him to triumph on Saturday night.
