Salido vs Lopez II: Press Conference Photos and Quotes

by Bad Left Hook on Jan 17, 2012 10:46 PM EST in Boxing Photo Galleries

On March 10 in San Juan, Puerto Rico, Juan Manuel Lopez will look to avenge his only defeat and regain the WBO featherweight title from Orlando Salido. Showtime will televise in the United States. The two had a press conference in Puerto Rico today, and we've got quotes and photos from the event.

ORLANDO SALIDO

"I expect a very different fight. I know he will be better then last time.

"But I don't see him changing much. He might try in the beginning to fight in a different style but he will come back to his strengths. He is going to feel that he is the better and stronger man, and that he is not.

"I want to show that my first win was not a fluke. I came back to fight in Puerto Rico because he gave the opportunity to me to fight for a world championship here and I have never had any problem winning in an opponents' home base."

JUAN MANUEL LOPEZ

"I am very happy to have the opportunity to fight in the Roberto Clemente Coliseum where my idol Tito Trinidad had so many fights and this is a dream come true for me.

"I want to thank Salido for coming back to Puerto Rico and giving me this opportunity. I knew Salido was a tough fighter and he came prepared and beat me and I offered no excuses.

"This fight is the most Important of my career and I will train very hard to regain my title.

On changes he will make in this fight:
"We will make changes for this fight like all fights. But I don't want to give too many specifics. Most importantly against Salido I have to be intelligent inside the ring.

"I don't see him changing at all. He won his first fight with me and I've seen his last two fights before that. He's going to fight the same style.

"You have to be smart and use your boxing skills. That is the only way to beat Salido. I learned that in our first fight."

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Lopez whipped the floor with Mike Oliver in his last fight. But you could still see he hadn’t changed a damn thing. Still leaving himself wide open with his chin in the air as he goes for the knock out. Salido hasn’t exactly looked great himself in his recent fights. But there’s no doubt he holds the mental edge

by Eugene Banks on Jan 18, 2012 12:40 AM EST reply actions

I'm excited for this fight.

I’m a Lopez fan. Hope he has what it takes to make the needed adjustments.

Boxing writer: "Iran, what are you going to do when you retire?"
Iran Barkley: "Rob your house"

by Matt Miller on Jan 18, 2012 1:51 AM EST reply actions

Yea, it’s going to be a good fight. As good a boxer as Lopez is, he has a warrior’s mentality………which is a lot of his appeal.

I remember reading JuanMa had a lot of personal issues going into the first fight, This time I think he’ll get it right.

by DPlainview on Jan 18, 2012 9:00 AM EST up reply actions

I think all fighters have some kind of personal issue going into a fight. Never considered that a legit excuse. While I think Lopez will pull off the win, I’m expecting another war.

by Eugene Banks on Jan 18, 2012 10:22 AM EST up reply actions

I used to be very high on Lopez. I thought he was going to be the next big thing after Cotto. He still might be, but I think I’ve been dissapointed with him since the Mtagwa fight. He has tools. He’s a good puncher, but he’s in love with his own punching power. He can outwork the other fighter, but he has horrible defense. He could box if he wanted to, but he commits many unnecessary mental mistakes. I look forward to him resuming his career. He’s still entertaining and should probably have a good career, but I just don’t see him getting to the superstar level anymore.

"He's still a very strong fighter, but I am way better than he is" - Miguel Cotto

by Apprentice on Jan 18, 2012 1:53 PM EST reply actions

Damn, Salido has those construction worker hands and he looks just like my uncle. They both have huge hands for 126 pounders.

by 36_chambers_ofdeatH on Jan 18, 2012 4:11 PM EST reply actions

Also Juanma actually looks like he’s in shape already, instead of blowing up between fights as he normally does.

by 36_chambers_ofdeatH on Jan 18, 2012 4:13 PM EST reply actions

There was an interview in El Nuevo Dia where he said he was training through the holidays because he thought the fight was going to be in February. He’s reportedly at 144 right now.

"He's still a very strong fighter, but I am way better than he is" - Miguel Cotto

by Apprentice on Jan 18, 2012 4:46 PM EST up reply actions