By Miguel Rivera
Puerto Rico's WBO super featherweight champion Roman 'Rocky' Martinez is looking to finish off Orlando "Siri" Salido of Mexico for good on September 12 at the MGM Grand in Las Vegas. The rematch will be part of the Showtime Pay-Per-View undercard to Floyd Mayweather Jr. vs. Andre Berto.
Martinez captured the WBO title in April with a tough twelve round unanimous decision over Salido in Puerto Rico. The victory gave him the belt for the third time. He had lost the title a year ago at the hands of Miguel Angel "Mikey" Garcia.
Martinez has a record of 29-2-2 and 17 knockouts, while Salido fell in April to 42-13-2 and 29 knockouts.
"I am aware that in boxing everything can be defined in a single swoop," said Martinez to ESPN Deportes. "I got the win [the first time], but I think I was able to finish the fight [inside the distance] but the bell betrayed me. This time, if I succeed in hurtting him earlier in the round I will try to finish him."
"I know that he will be better trained because that day is the day of the Independence of Mexico. I know he wants to surprise me and so we have made adjustments to be in better condition than in the first fight. I'll do my job, and I'm almost certain, almost certainly, that if I take in all the work that I've done - I will send Orlando Salido into retirement."