Rematch good for Linares, but what about Salgado?
When Jorge Linares was waxed in 73 seconds this weekend by Juan Carlos Salgado, it stunned the entire sport. How could Linares, a 24-year old dynamo with an enormously bright future, be taken care of so easily?
There is plenty to say about Linares' loss, but it probably boils down to a few key things. First of all, first round knockouts, especially at the top levels of the sport, are fluky. If it happens again, then start worrying about it. Salgado caught him with a good shot to the temple, dropped him, and though Linares got up, he was then blitzed by Salgado, who finished him off before Linares could even get his hands up. He didn't know how to protect himself when hurt, and he was still shaken.
Also, Salgado isn't a bad fighter. Yes, this was by far his biggest win, but he's now 21-0-1 with 15 knockouts. He's fought in Mexico most of his career, with just four bouts on American soil and this being his first in Japan. Given the result, he'll likely be headed back.
For Salgado, this is a great career boost, and something to be celebrated indeed. Lost in the hoopla over the fall of Linares (which is just a little bit premature) is what should be talk of Salgado, who is also 24 and might be emerging as one of Mexico's best, and that's a country that needs some young fighters to emerge and keep its outstanding fanbase fully intact with something big to root for.
For Linares, yeah, it's back to the drawing board. Golden Boy just signed him to a deal, but now Eric Gomez of GBP has to go out and talk about how shocked he is. Robert Morales spoke with Gomez, who said, "What happened to him could happen to anybody. I think he needs to get an immediate rematch. We gotta talk to him, we gotta talk to Mr. [Akihiko] Honda [Linares' Japanese promoter]."
An immediate rematch is a good idea for Linares, but what about the other side of that coin? Is it good for Salgado? First round stoppages being what they are, Salgado probably would still go into a rematch as the underdog in the eyes of many. If he wins again, he's really cooking. If he doesn't, he's looked at as the guy that got a fluke win over Linares, especially if Linares were to win in dominant fashion.
But as this is boxing, Linares will get that rematch if he wants it, or Salgado will have to take a lesser fight for lesser money somewhere. It's Linares with the major money behind him from Golden Boy and Akihikio Honda. Salgado so far is just a prospect-turned-spoiler, a titleholder that screwed up some big plans for the time being.
If Salgado wants to perhaps find himself with the big bucks behind his career, he'll have to beat Linares twice. In some ways it may not seem fair, but we always want the best to fight the best, right?
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