Salido vs. Vargas Fight to a Draw And Video Highlights
By Victor O. Garcia, Head Real Combat Media Boxing Video Reporter Ringside
*Photo Credit: Victor O. Garcia, Real Combat Media
Carson, California (June 5, 2016)- The StubHub Center in Carson, California, was filled with boxing fans this Saturday night. The highly anticipated toe-to-toe fight between WBC Super Featherweight Champion Francisco Vargas and former three-time world champion Orlando Salido, met the expectations everyone hoped for. These two Mexican warriors fought to a draw in a match that has Fight of the Year written all over it. One judge scored the bout 115-113 in favor of Vargas, and the other two scored it 114-114.
Before the main event started, Golden Boy Promotions and HBO Boxing made a special tribute to the legend and former three-time heavyweight champion, the great Muhammad Ali. Ali recently passed away on Friday, June 3rd after a long battle with Parkinson’s disease. The fans inside the arena chanted “ALI! ALI! ALI!” and lid up the arena using their cellphone lights. Fans also showed support to the late Ali, with shirts and banners. Vargas and Salido did the same with shirts that were worn during their ring walk.
Lately, the boxing world has been disappointed with either not getting the fights they want to see, or getting fights they did not ask for. When Vargas vs Salido was announced, everyone knew they were going to get a great show and that is exactly what happened. From the first bell, Vargas and Salido began to exchange in the center of the ring. Both fighters fought as if their life depended on it.
Vargas and Salido had pretty even rounds in the first two until the third round came and Salido rocked Vargas with a solid left hook. Vargas showed the champion in him and came back with well-connected combinations. In the sixth round, Vargas was then again hurt with a devastating right-hand. The shot buckled the legs of Vargas but he was able to hang on to Salido. When we all thought the fight could be coming to an end, Vargas begins the seventh round with well-connected jabs and devastating power shots to the body of Salido which hurt Salido, and had him against the ropes trying to stay relevant in the fight. Although the fight was action-packed from the beginning to the end, the most exciting round of the night was round ten. Both fighters exchanged hook after hook. Vargas working the body very well with well put uppercuts and Salido firing away to the head of Vargas. The fans stood up as they cheered away with excitement, and showed their appreciation when the round ended. When the twelve and final round began, the fans stood once again and gave the fighters a round of applause. The man in charge of the fight, referee Raul Caez Sr. had Vargas get checked by the ringside doctor due to the cuts on Vargas’ eyes that were caused by accidental head butts. The fight was allowed to continue and the fighters touched gloves before pounding each other’s faces once again.
The fighters picked up where they left off: in the center of the ring exchanging hard-hitting blows like true Mexican warriors. Vargas continued connecting uppercuts to the body and head of Salido and Salido had no intentions of using his defense and retaliated with vicious wild hooks until the fight came into an end.
After the fight ended, Vargas was asked about the decision on the fight.
“I feel good about this decision,” said Vargas. “I knew coming in that I was going to be facing a very tough opponent: however, I didn’t expect for him to head butt me and give me so many cuts to the face. Overall, I am happy I was able to face this skilled warrior.” Vargas also said, “I used powerful jabs and countered with ruthlessness. Takashi Miura was a much more powerful puncher, but my respects to Salido. He is a very tough fighter and has a very strong chin.”
Orlando also had something to say,
“It was a complicated fight like I expected. A very difficult fight from the beginning to the end with a lot of action,” said Salido. “It was a great spectacle for all the fans. They got what they wanted; they wanted to see blood and they saw blood. I would welcome another fight with him. I believe that I won by a slight margin, but I would welcome a rematch. I would also accept the fight with Takashi Miura or from Lomachenko. I will fight anyone.”
Co-main event: Julian Ramirez vs Abraham Lopez
Two local undefeated prospects, opened the telecast HBO event as the co-feature bout to Vargas vs Salido card. Julian Ramirez (16-1, 8 KOs) lost a unanimous decision to Abraham Lopez (21-0-1, 15 KOs). Lopez was crown the NABA Featherweight Title. The judges scored the bout, 98-92,97-93, and 97-93.
Both fighters showed up with huge crowds behind them as they squared off in the center of the ring. The fight was action packed and definitely pumped the fans for a highly anticipated main event.
“It was a close fight, my respects for Julian. He definitely is a hard puncher,” said Lopez. “But I am not hurt. I was able to counter the punches he came at me with. This victory opens doors for me. It moves me up to the next level in my career and me the opportunities to fight for a world title. I’m glad I listen to my corner, that’s what ultimately get the victory,”
“This was a really tough fight,” said Julian. “I knew he would be a tough opponent, and tthat is what I trained hard for. I know he won some rounds, but I thought that I did very well out there. And I thought I had a very good shot at winning this. I feel that the decision should had been much closer. But it is what it is, and that’s boxing.”
COMMENTS
English