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Full-Court Press
WHILE Hawaii is a place where nearly everyone knows Jesus Salud's name, it's not the only one. Salud may finally
get title shotAffectionately known as the Hawaiian Punch here in the 50th state, Salud carries a different moniker south of the California border. As the former Nanakuli resident put it: "They call me the Mexican Assassin."
For sure, his following here is still a strong one as last night's boisterous crowd at Blaisdell Arena will attest. But during his 10-year stay in San Diego, Salud has won the respect of fight fans in Mexico for his ability to soundly beat their countrymen.
Anyone who has followed the fight game for long knows boxers from Mexico have the reputation of being tough. They may not always win, but they stand in there until the final bell is rung.
Salud's third-round TKO over Indonesia's Boyke Sillehu gives him a 35-0 record in Hawaii. Want another statistic of note? Salud is a healthy 19-0 against fighters from Mexico.
Perhaps that's one reason why World Boxing Organization champion Marcos Antonio Barrera has balked at fighting Salud at every turnbuckle. As far back as 1996, Salud and his Mexican counterpart have been mentioned as a possible marquee matchup, only for it to fall through.
"They study my tapes and know I'm still dangerous," Salud said after securing the 37th knockout of his illustrious career. "It's time for us to meet. I showed them tonight. They're afraid I can punch."
Salud has shown he can take a punch as well, something that makes world champions a little leery of facing him in the ring.
Granted, Salud has lost five title shots along the way. But they've all been by unanimous decisions.
The only time Salud was off his feet in 70 professional bouts is when he moved up in weight class to fight World Boxing Union featherweight champ Kevin Kelley.
"I've been the No. 1 contender in the WBO for almost two years and Barrera won't fight me," Salud said. "He can't run forever."
That's what Top Rank Boxing promoter Bob Arum believes as well. These days, he is in Salud's corner and has tentatively set a September date for the WBO title with Barrera, possibly in San Diego.
"What Arum has told us is that Barrera has to fight Jesus in a mandatory defense or have his title stripped," Salud trainer Abe Sanchez said last night. "If Barrera vacates, then Jesus would fight a top 10 contender for the title. Either way, we get our shot."
At 37, Salud doesn't figure to have too many of those left. Even though he dominated Sillehu to raise his record to 61-9, Salud still took a big right hand to the chin that left him weak in the knees.
"Sometimes that's going to happen when you trade leather in the ring," Sanchez said. "Jesus recovered quickly to still win the round. He has a lot of fight left in him."
Which could allow Salud to not only reach his dream of winning a title once more, but to defend it in his home away from home -- Hawaii.
"We've already got people willing to put up the site fee," Salud said. "It would be so great if I could defend my world title in front of my family and friends. I think about it nearly every day."
A lot of days have passed since Salud had his world title stripped in 1990 for refusing to defend it in Colombia. It would be somehow fitting if the fight game gave it back to him before he's through.
Paul Arnett has been covering sports
for the Star-Bulletin since 1990.