By By Kevin Wrigley: As has recently been reported amongst a number of websites it looks like unbeaten Puerto Rican sensation Juan Manuel Lopez (30,-0, KO 27) will take on former IBF Featherweight champion Orlando Salido (34-11) on the 16th April in Puerto Rico. Further back it was reported unbeaten Cuban dynamo Yuriorkis Gamboa (19-0, KO 15) will be facing of against Jorge Solis (40-2) on the 26th March at Atlantic City.
It was reported a few weeks ago Juanma would perhaps be facing undefeated Teon Kennedy (who is fighting on the Gamboa card incidentally) which upset a lot of fans. Coming of a particularly impressive win over Rafael Marquez, were he certainly had his chin tested, people were hoping he would build on his momentum and take on another top 5 opponent. While Salido does not fit into that mould he is a more established boxer than Kennedy. He did in fact beat Robert Guerrero a few years ago only to be given a No Contest as he failed a steroid test. He also has wins over Rogers Mtagwa and lost in a tame affair with Juan Manuel Marquez back in 2004. Only losing twice since 2004- to champion Cristobel Cruz, which he later avenged, and in his last fight were he extended Gamboa the full 12 and even dropped him in the 8th. This does not mean that much, Gamboa has been dropped multiple times in his short career Salido is not that big a puncher.
This is a decent fight for Lopez coming of his war against Marquez and it provides him an opportunity to hype the surely upcoming Gamboa fight by stopping Salido inside the distance. Gamboa never looked like doing so but he is fighting a much smarter fight these days. It’s hard to see Salido presenting many problems for Juanma. Interestingly he was a massive 10 pounds above the weight limit against Gamboa which is a strong sign he is struggling with the weight. Of course he would take the Lopez fight, you would imagine it will give him one of the bigger pay checks possible at Featherweight. I believe Juan Manuel Lopez will find Salido rather easy to hit and stop him (with a good chance of making him quit) inside of 10.
It looks to me like Yuriorkis Gamboa has the tougher fight of the two. His only losses come to Cristobel Cruz and a younger, much smaller, Manny Pacquiao. Recently he is coming of wins over Francisco Cordero (23-0 at the time) and a decision win over ultra tough Mario Santiago (who I believe deserved the decision against Steven Luevano). In stopping his last opponent he showed some good inside fighting which could help against Gamboa. Still the smart money is on the Cuban- Bob Arum knows how big Lopez-Gamboa will be when it happens. It will eclipse recent ‘little men’ fights. I believe it should have happened by now but as long as these two are taking on world class opponents I’m pleased. Make it happen Top Rank. Juanma-Gamboa in September time and give us a great undercard to boot.
In other Featherweight news it appears new WBC champion Hozumi Hasegawa is taking on his third Mexican opponent in a row when he takes on Jhonny Gonzalez. Gonzalez appeared his best a few years ago when outclassing Israel Vasquez until the 10th when the little Mexican decided he’d had enough and when he out pointed P4P Fernando Montiel. It’s been along time since he’s looked that good and figures to be beaten by the new Japanese champion. Nice to see the Featherweights are heating up.