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Wednesday, May 17, 2000

Salud in main
event next week
at Blaisdell

By Paul Arnett
Star-Bulletin

Former world boxing champion Jesus Salud will headline a seven-bout card May 25 at the Blaisdell Arena.

The No. 1-rated junior featherweight for the World Boxing Organization faces Boyke Sillehu in a scheduled 12-round fight. The Pro Boxing Hawaii card was approved at yesterday's state commission meeting.

Salud brings a 60-9 record with 36 knockouts into next week's fight. The former Nanakuli resident has never lost in Hawaii.

Celebrating his 37th birthday two weeks ago, Salud is scheduled to face WBO champion Marco Antonio Barrera in a mandatory bout later this year.

In 1989, Salud defeated Juan Estrada in California to capture the World Boxing Association title. He was later stripped of that title for not fighting in Colombia.

Along the way, Salud has lost several world title fights, including one to Kennedy McKinney and another to Welcome Ncita.

Salud last fought here in 1998, defeating Frank Mamuaya of Indonesia. His next opponent is known as "The Terminator" in the Philippines. Sillehu is the WBO's Intercontinental champion.

The co-feature pits Andy Tabanas against Agus Ray. Tabanas is ranked No. 2 by the WBO in the 105-pound category. The twosome will be fighting for the WBO Asia-Pacific mini-flyweight title. It is also scheduled for 12 rounds.

Tickets for next week's event can be purchased at the Blaisdell Arena. Doors open at 7 p.m.