With the potential of the third go-around between Rocky Martinez and Orlando Salido dissipating, Salido is now looking for another fight to kick off his 2016 campaign. The two fighters were close to a deal for March 12th, but then the WBO ordered Martinez to face mandatory challenger Miguel Berchelt. A purse bid was held on Tuesday, which Berchelt's promoter, Zanfer Promotions, won.
For the second time in less than a month, Roman Martinez and Orlando Salido were believed to have a deal in place, only for such plans to be interrupted by a looming mandatory title defense.
A pair of World Boxing Organization (WBO) title fights due to head to a purse bid hearing have been met with a four-day delay – perhaps just long enough for a previous matchup to come into play.
Roman Martinez and Orlando Salido had a working date and a willing network. However, a deadlock on nailing down a location has threatened plans for what would be a third fight between the pair of super featherweights. Talks have been ongoing between camps for the latest entry into their thrilling rivalry, with American cable giant Showtime having expressed interest in showcasing the fight. Apparently a deadline was in place as Puerto Rico’s Martinez - who currently hold the World Boxing Organization (WBO) super featherweight title - has been ordered to make a mandatory defense versus Mexico's Miguel Berchelt.
Sean Gibbons, adviser to former champion Orlando "Siri" Salido, says his fighter is staying firm on not giving WBO super featherweight champion Roman "Rocky" Martinez the home court advantage on February 20.
Sean Gibbons of Zanfer Promotions read with great curiosity (and perhaps a bit of bemusement) the report filed by Miguel Rivera(https://www.boxingscene.com/martinez-salido-pedraza-smith-arroyo-triple-eyed-220--99808) which quoted promoter Peter Rivera as saying that if Orlando Salido is not willing to come back to Puerto Rico to face WBO 130-pound titlist Roman "Rocky" Martinez in a trilogy bout, that they would be moving forward with their mandatory obligation as part of a Showtime triple-header.
Promoter Peter Rivera of Puerto Rico Best Boxing is looking to stage a major card on February 20th in Puerto Rico. The event would be headlined by Roman "Rocky" Martinez defending his WBO junior lightweight crown against Mexican former champion Orlando "Siri" Salido in a trilogy fight.
Roman Martinez and Orlando Salido put on two very enteraining bouts in 2015. On April 11th, Martinez took Salido's WBO 130-pound title in Puerto Rico and then in their rematch on September 12th on the Floyd Mayweather-Andre Berto undercard in Las Vegas, they fought to a draw. In 24 rounds it was shown that their styles were made for one another.
The third fight between Roman "Rocky" Martinez (29-2-3 and 17 KO's) and Orlando "Siri" Salido (42-13-3, 29 KO's) is being targeted for February in Puerto Rico, according to Peter Rivera, vice president of PR Best Boxing Promotions. In the first bout, Martinez regained the 130-pound World Boxing Organization championship at the José Miguel Agrelot Coliseum on April 11, winning by split decision. In the rematch, which took place at the MGM Grand in Las Vegas as part of the Mayweather-Berto undercard on September 12th, went to a controversial twelve round draw.
Mexican super featherweight contender Miguel Berchelt (27-1, 24KOs) has landed a world title opportunity in the near future. The World Boxing Organization has approved a trilogy fight between WBO super featherweight champion Roman "Rocky" Martinez (29-2-3, 17KOs) and former beltholder Orlando Salido (43-13-3, 29KOs).