| Rod Salka | |
| Nickname: | Lightning Rod |
| Weight: | |
| Height: | 5 ft 7 in |
| Reach: | 67+1/2 in |
| Nationality: | American |
| Birth Date: | 28 February 1983 |
| Birth Place: | Bunola, Pennsylvania, U.S.[1] |
| Style: | Orthodox |
| Total: | 30 |
| Wins: | 24 |
| Ko: | 4 |
| Losses: | 6 |
Rod Salka (born February 28, 1983) is an American professional boxer and politician.
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]
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]
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]
| Result | Record | Opponent | Type | Round, time | Date | Location | Notes | ||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 30 | Loss | 24–6 | Alex Saucedo | KO | 1 (8), | Nov 2, 2019 | |||
| 29 | Loss | 24–5 | Francisco Vargas | RTD | 6 (8), | Apr 12, 2018 | |||
| 28 | Win | 24–4 | Jayro Duran | UD | 8 | Sep 23, 2017 | |||
| 27 | Win | 23–4 | Justin Savi | UD | 8 | Aug 27, 2016 | |||
| 26 | Win | 22–4 | Michal Dufek | UD | 8 | May 13, 2016 | |||
| 25 | Win | 21–4 | Noel Echevarria | KO | 6 (8), | May 16, 2015 | |||
| 24 | Win | 20–4 | Monty Meza-Clay | UD | 10 | Nov 14, 2014 | |||
| 23 | Loss | 19–4 | Danny García | KO | 2 (10), | Aug 9, 2014 | |||
| 22 | Win | 19–3 | Alexei Collado | UD | 10 | Apr 18, 2014 | |||
| 21 | Loss | 18–3 | Ricardo Álvarez | MD | 10 | Dec 14, 2013 | |||
| 20 | Win | 18–2 | Ryan Belasco | UD | 10 | Oct 12, 2013 | |||
| 19 | Win | 17–2 | Osnel Charles | UD | 8 | May 3, 2013 | |||
| 18 | Win | 16–2 | Emmanuel Lucero | TKO | 5 (10), | Feb 2, 2013 | |||
| 17 | Loss | 15–2 | Dorin Spivey | MD | 10 | Oct 12, 2012 | |||
| 16 | Win | 15–1 | Joseph Laryea | 8 | Jun 23, 2012 | ||||
| 15 | Win | 14–1 | Angel Rios | UD | 8 | Apr 7, 2012 | |||
| 14 | Win | 13–1 | Fernando Rodriguez | UD | 6 | Nov 17, 2011 | |||
| 13 | Win | 12–1 | Gabriel Morris | UD | 6 | Aug 26, 2011 | |||
| 12 | Loss | 11–1 | Guillermo Sanchez | UD | 8 | Nov 24, 2010 | |||
| 11 | Win | 11–0 | Ikem Orji | UD | 8 | Jun 30, 2010 | |||
| 10 | Win | 10–0 | Mario Hayes | UD | 6 | Jan 22, 2010 | |||
| 9 | Win | 9–0 | Devarise Crayton | UD | 6 | Sep 30, 2009 | |||
| 8 | Win | 8–0 | James Ventry | UD | 6 | Jun 24, 2009 | |||
| 7 | Win | 7–0 | Victor Vasquez | UD | 6 | Mar 6, 2009 | |||
| 6 | Win | 6–0 | Jose Caraballo | UD | 4 | May 30, 2008 | |||
| 5 | Win | 5–0 | Ryan Maraldo | UD | 4 | Apr 5, 2008 | |||
| 4 | Win | 4–0 | Eric Burke | 4 | Feb 29, 2008 | ||||
| 3 | Win | 3–0 | Shane Gierke | 4 (4), | Oct 30, 2007 | ||||
| 2 | Win | 2–0 | Ahmed Poskovic | 3 (4), | Sep 22, 2007 | ||||
| 1 | Win | 1–0 | Federico Flores Jr. | 4 | Jul 21, 2007 |