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Tonight at Coliseo Jose Miguel Agrelot in San Juan, Puerto Rico, Orlando Salido will defend his WBO super featherweight title against former two-time holder of that belt, Rocky Martinez.
Salido, 42-12-2 (29), and Martinez, 28-2-2 (17), should provide great entertainment once the bell rings as neither fighter takes a backward step nor is a massive puncher, which should make for 12 thrilling rounds.
Salido has had a career full of ups and downs, failing to win his first three title opportunities before striking gold in 2010 to capture the IBF featherweight strap, only to lose his next title bout against Yuriorkis Gamboa four months later.
He regained the title in 2011, defending it three times before getting stopped by Mikey Garcia in 2013.
The 34 year old Mexican came back later that year to win the title again but then lost it on the scales last year against Vasyl Lomachenko, who Salido defeated by split decision.
Last September, Salido and Terdsak Kokietgym combined for seven knockdowns before Salido finished off the Thai in the 11th round for the Interim WBO super feather belt.
Local man Martinez won the WBO super feather strap in 2009 but lost it to Ricky Burns a year later after two defenses. In 2012, Martinez regained the title only to lose it by KO to Garcia a year later.
Martinez will have the home field advantage tonight but Salido is used to fighting on the road and holds almost all the other cards in this pairing.
Salido will have to win nearly every round or at least produce a few knockdowns, while staying off the canvas himself, if he is to win a decision in Puerto Rico against the popular Martinez.
In order to get back his old title for the third time, Martinez will need to use his height advantage and keep things on the outside, avoiding the type of close combat Salido will seek to engage in.
If Martinez does get drawn into to a slugfest, he’ll be in for a long night and is unlikely to upset the champion.
