Jesus Salud takes a break wtih trainer Al Silva during a workout in Waipahu Gym. Photo by Dennis Oda, Star-Bulletin

Hello. How about a nice Hawaiian punch?

Salud, who grew up in Nanakuli, has never lost a fight in the state of Hawaii.

"I'm undefeated here," he said with a smile. "And I've fought here 30 or 40 times."

The 32-year-old Salud has a 52-7 record with 30 knockouts over the years.

But he is wary of Galatti - who is a relative unknown with a 19-2 record - in the 124-pound bout, which is scheduled for 10 rounds at the Blaisdell Arena Friday night.

"I don't know much about him," Salud said. "I just heard he was on the Bulgarian Olympic team and that he's tough."

Salud says he is in top shape and has won his last two fights, both in Mexico.

But he has also lost three title bouts in the past three years - and some are starting to wonder if he is getting a bit too old for the rugged ring life.

"I've had some setbacks on the title fights, but the last one was only with two weeks of training," he said. "I've got more experience, I'm more smart in the ring. I know how to survive.

"Plus it's the love of the sport. I've been training hard. And I've been fighting every month now."

Boxing has been a way of life for Salud since he was a kid.

"It helped build my character and made me a better person," he said. "Now kids look up to me and I've got to set an example."

Salud said he encourages youngsters to try boxing, especially if it will keep them away from the temptations of the street.

"Boxing is a real disciplined sport," he said. "If you want to be somebody, you have to really work hard at it.

"I tell them to try it out. But like anything else, if you put a little into it, you'll get a little out of it. But if you put a lot into it, you'll get a lot out of it."

Salud is working out this week at the Waipahu Gym - and he has an old friend on hand in veteran trainer Al Silva, who has worked with the fighter since his early days.

"He has helped me so much over the years," Salud said, shortly after arriving last week from San Diego. "I'm looking forward to seeing him."

Salud smiled as he stepped off the plane, even though a steady rain was falling outside the terminal window.

"It feels great to be home," said Salud, who was born in the Philippines. "Hawaii is my home. I love it. I'll probably come back and live in Hawaii."

What about the future, life after boxing?

"I really don't know," said the former WBA champion, who has always drawn a supportive crowd in the islands. "I'm not looking at that yet.

"I just want to get ready for this fight - and then another shot at the title."