Mitchell to Meet Salud in Forum Boxing Semifinals Tonight

The Forum boxing bantamweight tournament semifinals will match Kenny Mitchell (15-5-2) and Hawaii’s Jesus Salud (19-0) in the main event tonight.

Mitchell, 25, is ranked 30th by the World Boxing Council. Salud, 22, is ranked second by the U.S. Boxing Assn. as a bantamweight, and 12th by the WBC as a super-bantamweight.

Mitchell, making his third tournament appearance, has won his first two fights by knockout. Salud is coming off a 10-round knockout of Mike Phelps.

Tonight also marks the beginning of the heavyweight boxing tournament, which, unlike previous tournaments, requires each fighter to either be ranked or hold a recognizable title.

The prerequisite doesn’t say much about the quality of talent, however, as the rankings held by the fighters involved in tonight’s elimination bouts aren’t all that prestigious.

Defending champion Stan Ward (20-6), ranked second in California, will fight Larry Alexander (26-10). Alexander, who has 21 knockouts, is currently ranked 26th by the WBC.

In another bout, Rufus Hadle (11-0-1), ranked third in Canada, will fight Donnie Long (16-4), ranked 20th by the USBA.

An added 10-round bantamweight fight matches Jorge Garcia (17-7) of Mexico City against Mauro Diaz (26-5-2), also from Mexico.

The Forum card starts at 6:30 p.m., with the main event scheduled for 7 p.m.