Salido v Lopez: Fight Review

Last night, the rematch between Orlando "Siri" Salido & Juan Manuel "Juanma" Lopez took place in familiar territory for both fighters, Puerto Rico.  Lopez was hoping to avenge his only defeat to Salido, where he lost by TKO in his hometown.  The fight took off after the first "feel-out" round, both fighters got really aggressive trading shots, especially the champion Salido, who fought like he was the challenger landing some big shots that had him seemingly winning the fight.  Lopez got a big knockdown in the late round of the 5th that left Salido wobbling back to his corner, it seemed as if Lopez was getting ready to control the fight.  Salido came back strong in the 6th & both fighters continued to forcefully trade with one another through the 8th round.  In the 8th, Salido brilliantly fought off the ropes where he countered & landed huge shots on Juanma.  Things were definitely boiling going into the 9th, where Salido attacked and applied pressure from the start of the 9th.  Lopez very valiantly stood his ground taking Salido's punishment, but also answering to Salido's onslaught.  

These two warriors produced what has got to be the "Round of the Year" thus far in 2012.  Back & forth action with each fighter trying to impose there will into the fight.  Salido seemed to get the better of Lopez, who clearly was feeling the punishment brought on to him by the champion.  Fans roared as the completion of the 9th round left them knowing that they were witnessing something special.  Though their beloved hometown kid Lopez was starting to fade away, the action that these two were producing reminded them why this Mexico v Puerto Rico rivalry could possibly be the best in their respective sport.  The 10th round saw Salido land a vicious cross that numbed Lopez leaving him vulnerable to catch a couple of Salido uppercuts that landed him to the floor.  Lopez wobbled to his feet, where he would clearly stagger some more forcing the referee to call a halt to the fight, and having Orlando "Siri" Salido defending his championship, what a fight!                

  

.Noez!