Juan Manuel Lopez – Orlando Salido: Shocking Result
By “Bad” Brad Berkwitt
In what was an absolute upset, former IBF Junior Lightweight Champion Orlando Salido, 35-11-2, 23 KO’s scored an eighth round TKO over previously unbeaten WBO Featherweight Champion Juan Manuel Lopez, 30-1, 27 KO’s last night at the Ruben Rodriguez Coliseum in Bayamon, Puerto Rico. After four fairly even rounds, Salido dropped JuanMa at the end of the fifth round. Salido continued his assault in the sixth round, but Lopez was able to make it through. However, in the eighth round, Salido was on the attack and referee Roberto Ramirez Jr. waved it off even though JuanMa was still fighting back. The time was 1:39.
Many in the crowd and Showtime Announcer Al Bernstein were stunned by the upset. With the fight ending like this, boxing fans can almost be assured that a rematch will come immediately.