By Jhonny Gonzalez
Ruben Rodriguez Coliseum, Bayamon, Puerto Rico - Orlando Salido (35-11-2, 23KOs) pulled off another shocking upset in our sport, by stopping previously undefeated Juan Manuel Lopez (30-1, 27KOs) to capture the WBO featherweight title.
After a strong start by the champion, Salido started landing hard with right hands in the fourth. In the fifth round, Salido landed a hard combination in the final thirty seconds that dropped Lopez and nearly finished him off. Lopez was saved by the bell. In the sixth round, Salido once again rocked Lopez bad with hard lefts and rights. Juanma used all of his heart to last until the end of the round and started coming back in the final twenty seconds. The seventh round was very close. Both men landed very hard punches with both hands. Salido seemed to land the harder and better punches, but he was hurt bad at the end of the round with a Juanma combination.
In the eight, Salido once again hurt Lopez bad and started battering him against the ropes. Lopez was trying to fight back, but he was out on his feet and Salido kept landing. The referee jumped in to stop the fight after Salido landed another hard shot against the ropes.
ON THE UNDERCARD
Junior lightweight contender Luis Cruz (18-0, 14KOs) go the biggest win of his career with a ten round unanimous decision over veteran Martin Honorio (29-6-1, 15KOs). The scores were 100-90, 96-94 and 98-92.
Lightweight contender Jose Gonzalez (15-0, 11KOs) stopped Miguel Angel Munguia (18-19) in three rounds.
Puerto Rican heavyweight prospect Carlos Negron (12-0, 8KOs) knocked out Emerson Bear (4-2) in four rounds.
Top Rank's newly-signed flyweight prospect Jonathan Gonzalez (2-0, 2KOs) of Caguas stays undefeated by stopping Elvin Caldero in the first round.