Martinez vs. Salido: BoxingScene.com Staff Predictions
Sep 12, 2015 • 7:10 AM ET
By Jake Donovan
Their first registered as one of the very best of 2015 to date. Tonight, Roman Martinez and Orlando Salido are tasked with priming the crowd for the main event between Floyd Mayweather and Andre Berto, with their super featherweight title fight rematch taking place Saturday evening in Las Vegas, Nevada.
The bout serves as the chief support on Showtime Pay-Per-View.
Martinez (29-2-2, 17KOs) resurrected his career with a 12-round win over Salido to reclaim his old title this past April in Puerto Rico. The fight was just his second since returning to the ring last December after a 13-month hiatus following his Nov. '13 title fight knockout loss to Mikey Garcia.
The 32-year old Boricua boxer turned in perhaps the best performance of his career, flooring Salido twice and fending off a late rally from the hard-nosed veteran to claim a unanimous decision and his third title reign.
Salido (42-13-2, 29KOs) has spent the past decade or so rebuilding his brand. A pro since age 15, the now 34-year old Mexican brawler has enjoyed four title reigns spanning two weight classes. His 130 lb. title reign was one and done, though landing in Fight of the Year candidates in both winning and losing his crown.
Prior to the setback versus Martinez earlier this year, Salido traded knockdowns with Terdsak Kokietgym - seven in all between the two - before putting away the Thai slugger in 11 rounds last September.
BOXINGSCENE.COM STAFF PREDICTIONS:
ROMAN MARTINEZ vs. ORLANDO SALIDO
Shaun Brown (Martinez SD12):
This is the start of round 13. I believe Martinez will get the better of the exchanges, I'm expecting at times a crude battle but not Salido to visit the canvas twice. It can't fail to be another FOTY candidate.
Ryan Burton (Martinez UD):
I expect a fight similar to their first fight. Martinez is the younger and fresher fighter and I think he withstands another late charge by Salido.
Jake Donovan (Martinez Dec):
Not quite a repeat of their thrilling first fight, but with the same end result.
Peter Lim (Martinez UD):
Both these guys have been through their share of wars including the one against each other, but Salido is the shopworn of the two. The rematch will be almost an exact replica of the original.
Takahiro Onaga (Salido SD):
Mexican gets revenge and we get fight number three next year.
Cliff Rold (Martinez Dec.):
Salido gets dropped often these days. It cost him the first fight and should cost him the second. It won't be as good as their first but Martinez-Salido should be the fight of the night.
Reynaldo Sanchez (Martinez mid-to-late KO):
Salido is another that the retirement is calling him. Salido in this weight class hasn’t assimilation and has neither the power nor to achieve what he did in lower weights.
Alexey Sukachev (Martinez UD):
Salido was in too many wars and older than Martinez although the latter hasn't played it safe either. I favor one who has already shown his supremacy over another in the first fight.
Jake Donovan is the managing editor of BoxingScene.com.
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Jake Donovan is an award-winning journalist who served as senior writer for BoxingScene from 2007-2024, and news editor for the final nine years of his first tour. He was also the lead writer for The Ring before his decision to return home.
