Rey Saludar.
2010 Asian Games flyweight gold medalist Rey Saludar clashes with Tajikistan?s 2010 World Combat Games silver medalist, 19 year old Safoviddin Yusufi in a top sixteen bout late tonight at the World Boxing Championships in Baku, Azerbaijan.
Yusfi lost in the finals to China?s superstar Zou Shiming 7-1 in the finals.
An AIBA report said that Yusufi became the first "Road to Baku" boxer to advance to the next preliminary round in Baku. Yusufi took the lead against Vietnam's only competitor, President's Cup silver medalist Nguyen Van Hai by 4:3 after the first three minutes and finally defeated his Southeast Asian rival by a 12:9 margin.
The 24 year old Saludar eked out a one point victory over Canada?s Kelly Lally 21-20 to win his opening bout in Baku.
Saludar took the opening round comfortably by a 9-6 margin but the Canadian fought back in round two where the score was tied at 6-6 which effectively protected Saludar?s three point lead entering the third and final round.
Lally fought desperately to try and salvage the win but fell just short, winning the third and final round by a two point margin 8-6 for a final 21-20 count in favor of the Filipino.
In the Guangzhou Asian Games last year, Saludar won the gold medal beating China?s Chang Yong in the finals 13-11.
However, in the last Asian Confederation Boxing Championships Saludar lost in the semi finals to tough Ilyas Suleimenov of Kazakhstan 30-17.
We also received word from AIBA that Barriga?s showdown against Patrick Barnes of Ireland will take place on Monday.
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