# Rod Salka

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

## Background

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.

## Professional career
### Salka vs. García

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.

### Salka vs. Vargas

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.

## Professional boxing record

| 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. | |