Boxing: Orlando Salido Eager To Knockout Rocky Martinez in Trilogy
Orlando Salido is eager to prove that he is better than Rocky Martinez, when they collide for the third time with the World Boxing Organization super featherweight at stake.
Sean Gibbons of Zanfer Promotions, who represents Salido, told BoxingScene that the two fighters will complete their trilogy on Feb. 20 after WBO approved the third fight in October. The fight is not yet finalized, but Gibbons already revealed the fight date.
"All I know is we're ready to go February 20th," Gibbons said. "We agree to fight (Martinez) February 20th, that's it, plain and simple. Let it all work out."
Salido defended his WBO super featherweight title against Martinez in April. The challenger floored Martinez in the third and fifth rounds, while Salido also lost a point for low blows during the 11th round of the title bout. In turn, Martinez ran away with a unanimous decision victory.
Salido tried to reclaim the title in September -- as part of the Floyd Mayweather vs. Andre Berto undercard -- but Martinez managed to keep the title after the fight ended in a split draw. Most fans and boxing analysts thought Salido should have won the bout.
In the upcoming rematch, Gibbons said that Salido is eager to prove he is the better fighter. The 35-year-old Mexican is in Mexico, preparing for the rematch and is determined to score a knockout win against his rival.
"Salido is training, he's in Obregon, he is fired up," Gibbons said. "He's spending his holiday not being able to enjoy himself like he'd like because he's focused on winning the third fight and scoring a knockout this time and he's agreed with Peter Rivera, PR Best, everybody to fight February 20th."
The first bout was held in Puerto Rico, while the rematch took place at MGM Grand Garden Arena in Las Vegas. Gibbons declined to give details about the possible venues for the bout.
According to Dan Rafael of ESPN, Martinez and his camp wants the fight to be staged in Puerto Rico, but Salido and his promoters prefer fighting in the United States or Mexico. As for the TV coverage, the ESPN report also indicated that it will be either on Showtime or Premier Boxing Champions.
Salido holds a 43-13-3 record with 30 knockout victories, while the 32-year-old Martinez owns a 29-2-3 fight record with 17 stoppage wins.
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