By Ryan Burton
Mandalay Bay, LAS VEGAS, NV - Orlando Salido (44-13-4) is very focused with the task at hand. On Saturday he faces rugged Mickey Roman (57-12) in the main event of a HBO televised triple header.
Across the country in New York, there is another big fight taking place in the 130 pound division. For the first time ever, two two-time Olympic gold medalists will square off when Vasyl Lomachenko and Guillermo Rigondeaux enter the ring.
When asked about the fight, Salido, who has the distinction of being the only man to defeat Lomachenko in the pro ranks, couldn't pick a winner.
"Who knows? They are both very technical fighters. They both move a lot. I think it will resemble an amateur style fight where they just try to outpoint each other," Salido told BoxingScene.com.
Lomachenko has been red hot lately, stopping six opponents in a row. Fighters like Nicholas Walters and Jason Sosa have either quit or had their corners through in the towel because they haven't been able to deal with the Ukrainian's punch output and airtight defense.
The 29-year-old has also been very flamboyant in the ring with the way he showboats against his competition. He didn't fight that way against Salido and Salido believes that he only does after he breaks his competitor's spirit.
"He feels that he is superior. I see how he tries to clown them and he doesn't really respect them. He does it when he knows that his opponent can't do anything and he will continue to clown him more and more," Salido explained.
With that being said, Salido doesn't think that Lomachenko will try those tactics against the Cuban, who's skill set is on par with Lomachenko's.
"I would like to see him try it against Rigo. I think Rigo is fast and has the same ability. I don't think he will be able to clown around against him," said Salido who believes that Rigondeaux will be extremely motivated for this fight.
"Motivation is very important. No one ever wants to fight him so he is coming up to 130 to get a big money fight. I don't think he really would have moved up if he had any other options."
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