Vic Saludar was successful in defending his WBO minimumweight title in Japan.
Saludar won a wide unanimous decision against Masataka Taniguchi in the main event of a boxing card at Tokyo's Korakuen Hall. Saludar won with scores of 118-110, 117-111, 117-111.
---- Vic Saludar retained his WBO World Mini-Flyweight title after defeating ---- Masataka Taniguchi via unanimous decision at the Korakuen Hall in Tokyo, Japan.
— WBO (@WorldBoxingOrg) February 26, 2019
Scorecards: 118-110, 117-111 (x2). pic.twitter.com/QItEouWXQ2
Although the scores may indicate a one-sided beatdown, most of the rounds were fairly competitive, but Saludar did just enough to get the win on the cards. Saludar was most effective in landing the 1-2 combination upstairs and got the better of the exchanges early in the fight. Saludar used his range to outbox Taniguchi and although the Japanese challenger was somewhat successful in closing the distance on Saludar in the middle rounds, he couldn't do that for the entire fight. Saludar proved to be the better boxer at the conclusion of the fight.
This was Saludar's first world title defense since winning the belt back this past July against Ryuya Yamanaka. The summer 2018 showdown, which also took place at Korakuen Hall, saw Saludar end Yamanaka's near year-long reign as champion with a unanimous decision as well. The 28-year-old Saludar has won his last five bouts with four of those wins going to the scorecards.
As for Taniguchi, he suffered his third loss, all in title fights, as he failed to capture the Japanese national and OPBF titles in 2017. Entering the fight against Saludar, Taniguchi was on a three-fight win streak.
