It was April 2011, and then-WBO featherweight champ Juan Manuel Lopez welcomed Mexican slugger Orlando Salido to Puerto Rico, where the two met for Lopez? 126-pound title.
In Salido?s previous bout, he had suffered a lopsided decision loss to Yuriorkis Gamboa, and with Top Rank looking to pit Lopez and Gamboa in a featherweight megabout, it seemed only natural that Lopez would have his opportunity to upstage Gamboa.
However, it seemed that someone forgot to tell Salido (37-11-2, 25 KOs) that he was supposed to play the role of ?opponent? as he came right after Lopez from the opening bell.
Engulfed in a myriad of personal problems, it appeared that Lopez (31-1, 28 KOs) wasn?t 100% focused on the fight and it showed over the course of the first few rounds; electing to slug it out and taking more punches that usual.
It became obvious pretty early that the idea of an upset wasn?t going to be far fetched as Salido continued to apply pressure, landing hard blows and rocking Lopez on numerous occasions. Then suddenly, a combination hurt Lopez, sending him down to the canvas in the fifth round. Lopez made it to his feet and slowly began to get back into the fight, connecting with quick combinations that demonstrated his technical superiority. It wouldn?t take long however before Salido again took the upperhand, punishing Lopez with overhand rights that finally forced a stoppage in the eighth round.
It was quite possibly the worst outcome that Lopez, Gamboa or even Top Rank for that matter could have envisioned. The 126-pound superfight that promoter Bob Arum had infamously wanted to let ?marinate? was in smithereens.
Now, Lopez has the opportunity to try and write the wrong when he takes on Salido once again on March 10 in San Juan Puerto Rico.
?I want to thank Salido for coming back to Puerto Rico and giving me this opportunity,? said Lopez at this week?s press conference. ?I knew Salido was a tough fighter and he came prepared and beat me and I offered no excuses.?
?This fight is the most Important of my career and I will train very hard to regain my title,? added Lopez.
Since the loss, Lopez has fought just once, knocking out Mike Oliver in the second round back in November, once again showing the explosiveness that made him one of the most feared punchers in the game. However, before he regains the luster he lost to Salido, he?ll have to exercise the demons of his only pro loss, and do so without leaving any doubts.
?We will make changes for this fight like all fights. But I don?t want to give too many specifics. Most importantly against Salido I have to be intelligent inside the ring,? exclaimed Lopez. You have to be smart and use your boxing skills. That is the only way to beat Salido. I learned that in our first fight.?
For Salido, it?s more than just about proving the first fight was no fluke. Known throughout his career as a tough fighter, Salido is finally enjoying the fruits of his labor as a titleholder; something he?s worked hard throughout the years to attain. In his last bout though, against the unheralded Weng Haya, Salido had to dig deep to retain his title, getting floored in the third and fourth rounds, before finally stepping on the gas and forcing an eight round stoppage. In meeting Lopez, he too will look to show that he?s a worthy champion and not a declining fighter.
?Siri? as he as known (no relation to the iPhone 4S assistant), expects another tough bout, but is confident that he will once again emerge victorious.
?I expect a very different fight. I know he will be better then last time,? proclaimed Salido. But I don?t see him changing much. He might try in the beginning to fight in a different style but he will come back to his strengths. He is going to feel that he is the better and stronger man, and that he is not.?
Whether or not the Gamboa is even in the mix for the winner should be of no particular interest to either fighter right now.
Lopez needs to reestablish himself as a force at featherweight while Salido has the opportunity to show that he is the real deal.
However the cards unfold, both fighters should produce plenty of fireworks come May.
Showtime will televise the rematch on March 10 at 10 p.m. ET/PT.
?I want to show that my first win was not a fluke. I came back to fight in Puerto Rico because he gave the opportunity to me to fight for a world championship here and I have never had any problem winning in an opponents? home base.?
