Boxing In Puerto Rico: Lopez, Saldio Go Head To Head

ByBoxing Press

The four fighters who will compete in this Saturday’s doubleheader on Showtime (10:30 p.m. ET/PT, delayed on the West Coast) participated in the final press conference Wednesday at the Verdanza Hotel here.

In the main event, Juan Manuel Lopez (30-0, 27 KOs) will risk his unblemished record and WBO featherweight title against former IBF 126-pound titleholder Orlando “Siri’’ Salido (34-11-2, 22 KOs), of Ciudad Obregon, Mexico.

The co-feature from Ruben Rodriguez Coliseo in Bayamon, Puerto Rico, will pit promising, undefeated Luis Cruz (17-0, 14 KOs), of Philadelphia by way of Las Piedras, Puerto Rico, versus late substitute and No. 8 IBF contender, Martin “El Brochas’’ Honorio (29-5-1, 15 KOs), of Mexico City, in a 10-round junior lightweight bout. Bob Arum’s Top Rank, Inc. will promote the doubleheader.

What the fighters had to say:

Juan Manuel Lopez: “I am very excited to be fighting at home and have worked very hard so that I can give my fans as good a fight as I can.

“Salido is a very good fighter. He is strong and will come after me all night long. I have to be smart and try to win as many rounds as I can, but if I hurt him I will go for the knockout.

“The Puerto Rico-Mexico rivalry is one full of tradition and I hope that this fight will become one of the most remembered in the history of these great confrontations between the two countries.”

Orlando Salido: “This is an opportunity for me to become a world champion away and I look forward to this fight. I expect it to be hard, but with my great preparation I feel that I can win.

“I am not intimidated to come to his home country for this fight. I know what I am capable of doing and I will be ready for war on Saturday.

“Many great fighters from both Mexico and Puerto Rico have been part of this great rivalry and I look forward to having this considered one of the best fights in the history of it.’’

Luis Cruz: “I am very happy to be part of this card and that I will be able to showcase my talent to a lot of people as part of the SHOWTIME telecast.

“I have a big responsibility fighting at home and will make my country proud on Saturday night.”

Miguel Cotto:(Three-time world champion and Cruz’ promoter) “We know that Luis Cruz is ready for this type of fight. He has trained very hard and will be ready to win.”

Martin Honorio: “I am grateful for this opportunity. A win will put me on the road to another world championship fight. I have come all the way here to give it my best and to win this fight. It should be a good fight and I am ready for it.”