WBO featherweight champ Orlando Salido proved his first TKO win over previously undefeated Juan Manuel Lopez was no fluke by scoring another TKO in an all-action slugfest. This was a great fight with both men performing admirably. However, it was Salido that was the effective aggressor in most rounds, throwing and landing many more shots than Lopez. After a Round of the Year candidate in round nine, the fight ended early in round ten when Salido floored JuanMa with a series of power shots. Lopez beat the count but was in no condition to continue, forcing referee Roberto Ramirez to wave an end to the bout.
It's a good thing the fight didn't go to the scorecards because Salido wasn't going to leave Puerto Rico with a win unless he stopped the hometown hero Lopez. Outside of round five, in which Lopez dropped Salido with a short right hand, it would have been reasonable to score every round for Salido. Yet, at the time of the stoppage, two judges inexplicably had Lopez ahead 86-84 (the third had it even at 85-85). Corrupt and/or incompetent judges - take your pick - continue to drive potential fans away from the sport. Lopez himself piled further confusion and controversy on the post-fight proceedings by suggesting that he was dominating the bout and that the referee stopped the fight early due to a "gambling problem". Immediately after a tough loss you can excuse a fighter for thinking he was winning the fight or that the stoppage was premature -- even when he is 100% wrong. However, accusing the referee of cheating - especially when he stopped the fight at precisely the right time - is inexcusable.
On the undercard, featherweight contender Miguel Angel "Mikey" Garcia remained undefeated with an impressive seventh-round TKO over Bernabe Concepcion. Garcia appears ready for a title shot and would make a great next opponent for Salido.
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