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Francisco Vargas – Orlando Salido Post Fight Wrap Up for Possible Fight of the Year!

VargasSalidoScorecardBy Richard “Doc” Pratt

Francisco Vargas came into this fight with a 23-1, 17 KO’s record and the fighter with less experience coming up against a seasoned Orlando Salido, 43-12-3, 30 KO’s with 5 losses by KO and coming off a brawl of a draw against Roman Martinez, with some saying Salido should have been awarded the win in that fight.

First round, not much of a feeling out process between the two with both fighters comfortable throwing punches at will right from the bell. It only took 2:30 of the first round for both fighters to get heated up and to commence with the all out battle that proved to be much like two brick walls throwing punches. Each taking every blow the other threw with what looked to be granite chins!

Exciting first round to say the least. So much so Ref Caiz attempted to stop the fighters prematurely upon the 10 second warning.

Second round found both fighters trying to out punch the other with Vargas sustaining a cut above the left eye from a clash of heads early in the round. At the 1:15 mark, Vargas lays into Salido with a vicious body shot sending Orlando to the ropes with Francisco taking advantage throwing multiple follow up hooks to the body. Salido clearly being the first fighter with any sign of being hurt. Despite being stung, Orlando stays vigilant throughout the final minute.

Third round had each fighter busy standing in the proverbial “phone booth” whaling away with neither fighter acquiescing to the other with Vargas, every once in awhile, stepping back out to throw multiple jabs and continuing to be the busier puncher. Orlando, in the last 25 seconds, steps up his action attempting to win the round with some wicked body shots absorbed well by Vargas.

After 3 I had the fight 30-27 Vargas. Punches landed, 65 head, 25 body for Vargas and 25-32 for Salido.

Fourth round, right back in the booth for some fierce infighting with Salido being the aggressor and visibly inflicting some damage to the body of Vargas with Francisco acknowledging as much to Orlando. Towards the end of the round, Salido punishes the head of Vargas with some vicious left hooks as well, yet Vargas, not at all wobbled.
Salido clearly winning the round.

Fifth round had Vargas pushing Salido to the ropes after Orlando came out at the bell the aggressor. None the less, Salido managed to return punch for punch from his spot on those ropes. Salido, landing the heavier shots, forces the fight out into the middle of the ring and at the 45 second mark; HE backs Vargas up to the ropes and continues to inflict damage to the mid section of Vargas. The round ends with the fighters toe to toe in the middle of the ring. Another round for Salido.
48-47 Vargas after 5.

Sixth round sees more of the same infighting and equal exchanges until Salido is rocked when Vargas throws a powerful three punch combination ending with a huge right hook to the head that stuns him. Vargas, sensing this, attacks relentlessly backing Orlando into the corner and contacting at will. Salido haphazardly throwing punches trying to bide some time to clear his head, manages to back Vargas up out into the center of the ring. Vargas continues to be the aggressor and contacting with some serious hard punches but Salido, taking every one and not giving in.
Being the more active and effective in this round. It goes to Vargas.
58-56 Vargas.

Rounds 7 and 8 go to Salido with him being the clear aggressor and more effective puncher with a warning going to Salido in the 8th for another head butt that clearly irritated Vargas and Orlando inflicting some solid punches and damage to Vargas. Francisco seemingly took the 8th round off to maybe taking a bit of a rest. Making the fight 76-76 after 8.

After the 8th round rest, the 9th had Vargas coming out the aggressor and taking control of the round throughout with Salido now seeming to need a rest. Vargas, stepping out of the phone booth and using distance to throw 55 jabs, secures the round.
86-85 Vargas.

10th round has Vargas doing more of the same as in the 9th. Using distance to his advantage in between the infighting. Salido goes down but it’s deemed a slip at the 2:01 mark. Continuing his aggression and looking rather fresh for the 10th round of such a battle, Vargas wins this round.
96-94 Vargas.

The championship rounds now in play. The 11th, Vargas continues his aggression and dominated the round and winning it solidly.
106-103 Vargas.

In the 12th, after the bell to start the round, the ref has the ring doctor check out the head butt cuts above the eyes of Vargas before letting the fighters begin. The cut man in the corner of Vargas has been doing a stellar job keeping control of the blood flow and not allowing the cuts to hinder his abilities in any way.

Both fighters looking relatively fresh for the 12th round of an epic battle such as this potential fight of the year type bout, come together and touch gloves. Both fighters wanting this final round with Salido willing to throw caution to the wind inflicting more than one low blow and head butts right from the start of the round. Ref Caiz, either not seeing or just plain ignoring the fouls letting them go with no deductions or warnings. Both Vargas and Salido looking for that 12th round KO are now throwing HUGE punches with Vargas landing more effectively and efficiently but Salido connecting almost blow for blow. I have to give this round do Vargas because of the fouls “I” saw and the tenacity of Francisco to overcome the cuts and staying aggressive.

Scoring:
Doc’s card: 116-112 Vargas
Officially:
Jerry Cantu: 115-113 Vargas
Hubert Minn:114-114 Draw
Lou Moret: 114-114 Draw

Decision: Majority Draw. Vargas retains the WBC World Super Featherweight title.
Until next time. Keep your gloves up and elbows in!

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