Rod Salka (born February 28, 1983) is an American professional boxer and politician.

Rod Salka
Born (1983-02-28) February 28, 1983 (age 41)
NationalityAmerican
Other namesLightning Rod
Statistics
Weight(s)
Height5 ft 7 in (170 cm)
Reach67+12 in (171 cm)
StanceOrthodox
Boxing record
Total fights30
Wins24
Wins by KO4
Losses6

Background

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Born and raised in Bunola, Pennsylvania, Salka served ten years as part of the United States National Guard, joining in 2001. In 2016, he ran as a Republican in the 38th House District of Pennsylvania.[2]

Professional career

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Salka vs. García

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Salka is most notable for facing light welterweight world champion Danny García on August 9, 2014, a fight in which Salka was brutally knocked out in two rounds. Before and after the event, the fight was heavily criticized by boxing observers as a mismatch.[3][4]

Salka vs. Vargas

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On April 12, 2018, Salka faced former super featherweight world champion Francisco Vargas. During the fight, Salka created controversy by wearing trunks featuring a red, white and blue brick wall pattern and the phrase "America 1st", a reference to Donald Trump's proposed border wall and slogan and policy. Salka would go on to retire on his stool at the end of round six, after being knockdown down by a Vargas combination which left him cut over his left eye.[5][6]

Professional boxing record

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30 fights 24 wins 6 losses
By knockout 4 3
By decision 20 3
No. Result Record Opponent Type Round, time Date Location Notes
30 Loss 24–6 Alex Saucedo KO 1 (8), 2:17 Nov 2, 2019 Dignity Health Sports Park, Carson, California, U.S.
29 Loss 24–5 Francisco Vargas RTD 6 (8), 3:00 Apr 12, 2018 Fantasy Springs Resort Casino, Indio, California, U.S.
28 Win 24–4 Jayro Duran UD 8 Sep 23, 2017 Convention Center, Monroeville, Pennsylvania, U.S.
27 Win 23–4 Justin Savi UD 8 Aug 27, 2016 The Meadows Racetrack and Casino, North Strabane, Pennsylvania, U.S.
26 Win 22–4 Michal Dufek UD 8 May 13, 2016 The Fight Company, Pennsylvania, Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania, U.S.
25 Win 21–4 Noel Echevarria KO 6 (8), 2:57 May 16, 2015 The Meadows Racetrack and Casino, North Strabane, Pennsylvania, U.S. Won vacant NABA USA super featherweight title
24 Win 20–4 Monty Meza-Clay UD 10 Nov 14, 2014 Consol Energy Center, Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania, U.S. Won vacant WBC FECARBOX lightweight title
23 Loss 19–4 Danny García KO 2 (10), 2:31 Aug 9, 2014 Barclays Center, New York City, New York, U.S.
22 Win 19–3 Alexei Collado UD 10 Apr 18, 2014 Convention Center, Monroeville, Pennsylvania, U.S. Won vacant WBC FECARBOX lightweight title
21 Loss 18–3 Ricardo Álvarez MD 10 Dec 14, 2013 Alamodome, San Antonio, Texas, U.S. For WBC Continental Americas super lightweight title
20 Win 18–2 Ryan Belasco UD 10 Oct 12, 2013 Green Tree, Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania, U.S. Retained NABA USA lightweight title;
Won vacant IBO International lightweight title
19 Win 17–2 Osnel Charles UD 8 May 3, 2013 Cal U Convocation Center, California, Pennsylvania, U.S.
18 Win 16–2 Emmanuel Lucero TKO 5 (10), 0:55 Feb 2, 2013 Court Time Sports Center, Elizabeth, Pennsylvania, U.S. Won vacant NABA USA lightweight title
17 Loss 15–2 Dorin Spivey MD 10 Oct 12, 2012 Tropicana Casino & Resort, Atlantic City, New Jersey, U.S. For NABA lightweight title
16 Win 15–1 Joseph Laryea SD 8 Jun 23, 2012 Green Tree, Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania, U.S.
15 Win 14–1 Angel Rios UD 8 Apr 7, 2012 Court Time Sports Center, Elizabeth, Pennsylvania, U.S.
14 Win 13–1 Fernando Rodriguez UD 6 Nov 17, 2011 Club South, Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania, U.S.
13 Win 12–1 Gabriel Morris UD 6 Aug 26, 2011 Court Time Sports Center, Elizabeth, Pennsylvania, U.S.
12 Loss 11–1 Guillermo Sanchez UD 8 Nov 24, 2010 Avalon Hotel, Erie, Pennsylvania, U.S.
11 Win 11–0 Ikem Orji UD 8 Jun 30, 2010 Heinz Field VIP Tent, Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania, U.S.
10 Win 10–0 Mario Hayes UD 6 Jan 22, 2010 Hilton, Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania, U.S.
9 Win 9–0 Devarise Crayton UD 6 Sep 30, 2009 Heinz Field VIP Tent, Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania, U.S.
8 Win 8–0 James Ventry UD 6 Jun 24, 2009 I.C. Light Amphitheater, Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania, U.S.
7 Win 7–0 Victor Vasquez UD 6 Mar 6, 2009 The Blue Horizon, Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, U.S.
6 Win 6–0 Jose Caraballo UD 4 May 30, 2008 ExpoMart, Monroeville, Pennsylvania, U.S.
5 Win 5–0 Ryan Maraldo UD 4 Apr 5, 2008 Wheeling Island Casino Racetrack, Wheeling, West Virginia, U.S.
4 Win 4–0 Eric Burke UD 4 Feb 29, 2008 Days Inn, Butler, Pennsylvania, U.S.
3 Win 3–0 Shane Gierke TKO 4 (4), 1:06 Oct 30, 2007 Heinz Field, Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania, U.S.
2 Win 2–0 Ahmed Poskovic RTD 3 (4), 3:00 Sep 22, 2007 IceoPlex at Southpointe, Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania, U.S.
1 Win 1–0 Federico Flores Jr. MD 4 Jul 21, 2007 Heinz Field South Plaza, Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania, U.S.

References

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  1. ^ Oliver, Jeff (November 14, 2013). "Bunola-native boxer Salka signs with Golden Boy Promotions". Pittsburgh Tribune-Review. Richard Mellon Scaife. Retrieved September 24, 2016.
  2. ^ Field, Nick (February 1, 2016). "Professional Boxer Enters Political Arena". PoliticsPA. Retrieved January 15, 2021.
  3. ^ Santoliquito, Joseph (August 9, 2015). "Danny Garcia makes easy work of Rod Salka". The Ring. Retrieved October 26, 2015.
  4. ^ Rivera, Miguel (March 14, 2018). "Francisco Vargas vs. Rod Salka on April 12 at Fantasy Springs". BoxingScene. Retrieved January 26, 2019.
  5. ^ Hale, Andreas (April 13, 2018). "Mexico's Francisco Vargas pummels opponent wearing 'America 1st' trunks into submission". Yahoo Sports. Yahoo!. Retrieved January 26, 2019.
  6. ^ Lauletta, Tyler (April 13, 2018). "An American boxer wearing trunks supporting Trump's wall got knocked out by a Mexican opponent". Business Insider. Retrieved January 26, 2019.
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Sporting positions
Regional boxing titles
Vacant
Title last held by
Luis Ramos Jr.
NABA lightweight champion
February 2, 2013 – December 2013
Vacated
Vacant
Title next held by
Reynaldo Ojeda
Vacant
Title last held by
Ben Jones
IBO International
lightweight champion

October 12, 2013 – December 2013
Vacated
Vacant
Title next held by
Xolisani Ndongeni
Vacant
Title last held by
Anthony Lora
WBC FECARBOX
lightweight champion

April 18, 2014 – August 2014
Vacated
Vacant
Title next held by
Himself
Vacant
Title last held by
Himself
WBC FECARBOX
lightweight champion

November 14, 2014 – May 2015
Vacated
Vacant
Title next held by
Reynaldo Ojeda
Vacant
Title last held by
Omar Douglas
NABA super featherweight champion
May 16, 2015 – February 2016
Vacated
Vacant
Title next held by
Bekman Soylybayev