By Joe Koizumi

Filipino puncher Vic “Vicious” Saludar (19-3, 10 KOs), 105, kept his WBO minimumweight belt as he outboxed and outpunched Japanese southpaw Masataka Taniguchi (11-3, 7 KOs), 105, to win a unanimous decision (117-111 twice, 118-110) over twelve sizzling rounds on Tuesday in Tokyo, Japan. It was really a close game with Taniguchi, with his tight guard, stalking the champ and Saludar occasionally countering with solid rights to the willing mixer. The referee was Kenny Bayless (US).

(More to come)