By Patrick McHugh: Super featherweight Rod Salka (22-4, 4 KOs) will be fighting this Saturday night against Justin Savi (28-6-2, 18 KOs) in an eight round fight at the Meadows Racetrack and Casino in Washington, Pennsylvania.
The 33-year-old Salka was supposed to be fighting Wilberth Lopez on the card, but that fight was scratched in favor of Salka facing the 31-year-old Savi. It’s arguably a more winnable fight for the 5’7” Salka, who is trying to make something happen with his career following a devastating 2nd round knockout loss to Danny Garcia two years ago in August 2014.
That was a fight that probably should have never happened in the first place. Salka was fighting at super feather and he got pulled up all the way to welterweight to fight a much bigger, stronger and more talented Garcia. The results of the fight were predictable with Garcia knocking Salka out badly after dropping him three times in the fight.
Sadly, the fight was broadcast on Showtime, and it made for bad television for boxing fans. Salka has since won his last three fights against Monty Meza Clay, Noel Echvarria and Michal Dufek. They were all journeyman level opposition, but you can’t expect too much from Salka because he’s not a big puncher.
Savi has lost three out of his last four fights in losses to Rico Ramos, Jhonny Gonzalez and Rafael Mensah.
Salka might have problems with Savi because he’s a decent fighter despite his recent problems inside the ring. He can punch a little and he might gave Salka all he can handle in this fight for as long as it lasts. Salka doesn’t need to be fighting anymore guys with punching power for a while after the way that Danny Garcia batted him around the ring. Savi has been in with the far better opposition during his career, and he’s got good technical skills despite his recent bad luck.