By James Slater: Due to two things: the contract obligation and the controversial, some say way too premature stoppage, featherweights Orlando Salido and Juan Manuel Lopez will meet in a rematch of the exiting fight they put on this past Saturday. Reportedly (fight news.com), Team-Lopez is pushing for a return as soon as possible, to hopefully happen in the month of August.
Promoter Bob Arum said shortly after the fight that the rematch would probably take place in November or December, but talks are now underway for the rematch of the fight that saw huge underdog Salido rip “Juanma’s” WBO belt and unbeaten record, to go ahead in the summer. Mexico’s Salido had hoped to get in a voluntary defence in his home country, in July time. But now it looks like the big money offered him will entice Salido to grant the former champ his chance for revenge.
As the first fight took place in Lopez’ home country of Puerto Rico, it would of course be fair if Salido got to fight the return at home. Will Lopez want to go to Mexico, though? Wherever the return is held, it will be a hugely anticipated fight; much more than was the first clash between the two.
This time, in light of the excellent action that unfolded on Saturday night, and in light of the 8th-round TKO win Salido scored, the fans will attend expecting to see another great fight. Will they get to see a repeat or revenge fight though? Maybe this time it will be southpaw Lopez who will enter the ring as the underdog. Can “Juanma” come back stronger, or will his porous defence let him down again? How much has Salido got left after all those tough fights?
As good as the first fight was, it’s good news that the rematch will take place sooner rather than later. For the winner there will be even bigger, more lucrative fights. For the loser, there may be no way back, at least to anything like top level – especially if the loser is Lopez. Two losses, to the same guy, coming back-to-back at that, could prove devastating to a proud warrior like Juanma Lopez.
Lopez had spoken of moving up in weight after the Salido defence, maybe the return will happen at a weight above 126 – at either a catch-weight or at 130-pounds?