Victorio Saludar vs Erick Pacheco Mandatory Announcement; First Since the WBA’s New Guidelines
The World Boxing Association (WBA) championship committee has ordered a match between regular WBA minimumweight champ “Vicious” Victorio Saludar (21-4, 11 KOs) and mandatory challenger/former WBA “interim” champion, Erick Rosa Pacheco (4-0, 1 KOs). Announced via a press release on August 27, the sanctioning body explained the reason for this move.
Pursuant to WBA rule C.12, a champion who has just won a vacant title must defend his belt against the next leading available contender within 120 days after the date he became champion. Saludar won his belt on February 20th and his mandatory period expired on June 20th, so he must fight the former interim champion, and now official challenger, Erick Rosa.
On the other hand, WBA Rule C.13 – Bout Limitations, states that the champion cannot fight an opponent who is not the official challenger within 60 days after the expiration of his mandatory defense period.
Taking into account those points of the interim rules, the committee granted the parties a 30-day negotiation period starting on August 27, 2021. That period will close on September 26 at the end of the day.
If neither party are able to come to a deal at the end of the 60-day window, the fight will be put up to a purse bid.
Saludar won the vacant title with a twelve-round decision win over Roberto Paradero in February 2021. The 30-year-old from Polomolok, Cotabato del Sur, Philippines, is also a former WBO minimumweight champ.
Pacheco is a fighter who has been moved along the ranks very rapidly. With only four fights as a pro, the 21-year-old from Santo Domingo, Dominican Republic earned this opportunity by defeating Ricardo Astuvilca.
On August 14, the WBA announced a world championship depletion plan. This includes vacating all world ‘interim’ titles. The order for Saludar and Pachecho is the first fight order since that announcement.
By: Michael Wilson Jr.
