Juanma Faces Another Mexican Warrior

Bayamon, Puerto Rico – Two-time world champion Juan Manuel “Juanma” Lopez returns to the ring here on Saturday, April 16 to take on former world champion Orlando Salido. It’s the main event of a card that will be televised by Showtime from the Ruben Rodriguez Coliseo.

“I look forward to coming back to Puerto Rico to defend my world championship against a great warrior like Salido,” said Lopez during a recent press conference at the Braulio Castillo Theater. “I know that this fight will not be easy, so I will prepare the best way possible.”

Lopez (30-0, 27 KOs) of Caguas, Puerto Rico will defend the WBO featherweight championship for the third time since taking the crown from Steven Luevano in January of last year. In something of a preview of his upcoming fight with Salido, Lopez stopped Rafael Marquez, another dangerous Mexican champion, in his second successful defense in November.

“I want to give the fans as good as show as I can,” said Lopez, “but I will not be reckless. Salido fought some great fighters, and as a former world champion he will be a dangerous opponent.”

Salido (34-11-2, 22 KOs) of Ciudad Obregon, Sonora, Mexico won the IBF featherweight title back in May, but lost it on the scales. He went on to lose to Cuban bomber YURIORKIS GAMBOA — whom Juanma is on a collision course with — in an entertaining 12-round brawl.

“I know [this] … is a tough fight, but [it’s] also a great opportunity for me to become a world champion, and I will do my best to win the fight,” said Salido.

Yesterday, the baseball team from Salido’s hometown – the underdog Yaquis of Ciudad Obregon – won the Baseball Caribbean World Series in Puerto Rico.

He continued: “Just like my hometown Yaquis, I will come to Puerto Rico and take home a championship which no one expected them to win. I will surprise everyone on April 16.”