By Miguel Rivera
Former world champion Orlando Salido of Mexico knows a thing or two about rivalries with Mexican fighters.
Salido has waged war with Rocky Martinez on two occasions, Orlando Cruz, and two memorable bouts with Juan Manuel 'Juanma' Lopez.
Going into their first fight, Salido was a very big underdog against Juanma. It was a war from beginning to end, with Salido giving Juanma his first loss by knockout. Juanma was never the same fighter after that defeat.
This coming Saturday night at the Mandalay Bay in Las Vegas, another big chapter in the Mexico vs. Puerto Rico rivalry will be presented. Saul "Canelo" Alvarez will challenge Miguel Cotto for the WBC middleweight championship.
"This kind of fight is a tradition among Mexicans and Puerto Ricans, where you give a hundred percent and you always want to win. We prepare better [for big fights with Puerto Rican opponents] than [we do for] any other opponents - which is good for the fans, because the [fighters from Puerto Rico] say they are better and we also say that we are better," said Salido to ESPN Deportes.
"I think it's an even fight. Cotto has the experience but there is some advantage in favor of Canelo due to his youth. I think it might be a fight like I had with Juanma, a competitive fight from start to finish, but Canelo's youth and strength should give him victory, even by knockout, because he is strong and hits hard."
