Last night at the Roberto Clemente Coliseum in San Juan, Puerto Rico, WBO featherweight champion Orlando Salido successfully defended his title against hometown favorite Juan Manuel Lopez in an incredible thriller that served as a rematch to their April 2011 bout.
Salido, who stopped Lopez in the eighth round last year, overcame a spirited effort from his foe but found great success with his power shots, outlanding ?Juanma? at a 2-1 ratio in that department. And while Lopez rallied tremendously in rounds eight and nine, he was nearly out of gas in the tenth and a crushing volley of blows floored him, with referee Roberto Ramirez Sr. waiving off the fight moments after he rose.
It was a heartbreaker for Lopez, who falls to 31-2 with 28 knockouts and must now go back to the drawing board. As for Salido who raises his ledger to 38-11-2 with 26 knockouts, he can now push forward and chase ever bigger dates.
On the undercard, Riverside, California?s Miguel ?Mikey? Garcia scored a systematic TKO victory over a brave but outgunned Bernabe Concepcion. Garcia was patient throughout and was able to drop and finish a retreating Concepcion at the 2:27 mark of round seven.
For images of Salido and Garcia?s victories, please visit the slideshow on the left or check out Orlando Salido halts Lopez in incredible war, Garcia downs Concepcion
