Francisco Vargas Eyes Salido vs. Martinez Winner

By Steve Kim

As Orlando Salido defends his WBO 130-pound title versus Rocky Martinez this Saturday night in San Juan, Puerto Rico, Joel De La Hoya will be a very interested observer. The brother of 'the Golden Boy' happens to manage Francisco Vargas, the top ranked contender in the WBO.

And they do have a preference on who'd they like to see come out victorious.

"Francisco's very interested in Salido, we both are," De La Hoya told BoxingScene.com. "He's the number one contender for the WBC and WBO, he would love the green belt, obviously, but (Takashi)Miura is fighting Billy Dib in May. I don't know if Vargas wants to sit out till who knows or if a clash of heads or anything like that happens in that fight."

Whoever comes out with the WBO belt this weekend seems to be a more convenient and timely option.

"With the WBO...the winner [of that fight] we are looking at what...end of June, July? Salido comes out the winner, we'd love that fight in L.A., love it at the StubHub Center. It's a great fight, there," said De La Hoya. 

Vargas has a record of 22-0-1 (16 KO's) and in his last outing stopped Will Tomlinson in eight rounds back on March 12th in San Antonio, Texas.

De La Hoya makes it clear that Vargas - who is represented by Golden Boy Promotions - will fight whoever has that belt.

"Absolutely," he stated.

Steve Kim is the news editor for BoxingScene.com.