Vasyl Lomachenko vs. Orlando Salido
Photo by Porfirio Barron Jr./Round By Round Boxing
Dominique Silva, Contributing Writer
Vasyl Lomanchenko vs. Orlando Salido for the WBO Featherweight Championship is tomorrow night in San Antonio, TX. Salido has already lost his belt due to coming in overweight and not bothering trying to lose the weight should tell you something, that he has no confidence in this bout. He has downplayed Lomachenko from the beginning, saying he doesn’t deserved this bout and that it is an insult to all of boxing that he’s getting a title shot so soon. Lomachenko is a two-time Olympic gold medalist and in my opinion, the future in the lighter weight divisions. My prediction, Lomachenko by early KO.
Prediction: Lomachenko
Rob Anthony, Contributing Writer
Vasyl Lomachenko is an aggressive and exciting pro prospect with a glittery resume that comes chocked full with two Gold medals from Beijing and London. Bob Arum and Top Rank are banking on him being an exciting fighter and a factor in the sport for the next several years. Lomachenko was impressive in his first fight and in his second bout has hopes on taking away a belt from the savvy vet Orlando Salido. Salido has the pro experience part of it down, but in big fights with elite fighters Salido has lost, namely against opponents like Juan Manuel Marquez, Mikey Garcia and Yuriorkis Gamboa. The question is, is Lomanchenko an elite pro fighter? I think Lomachenko is and so do the people at Top Rank, and I don’t think they would put him in against a guy like Salido unless they had confidence he could fight his way through a tough out like the WBO champion. I expect a tough and hard fight from Salido and I expect him to do what he does in big fights like this; lose.
Prediction: Lomachenko
Gabriel Polanco, Contributing Writer
Vasyl Lomachenko is on track to make history by challenging the very tough, Mexican veteran, Orlando Salido, as the co-main event of Chavez-Vera II. Can he do it? Can he beat the rugged champion? The champion who has faced multiple world-class fighters and has been in several wars in his long career? It’s very exciting to think about, given the fact that Lomachenko isn’t just some flash in the pan contender. No, he is as close to the real deal as Holyfield (see what I did there?). He is considered by most as the best amateur fighter ever, but what does that mean at the professional world-class level? It means that even though Orlando Salido is not a man you pick against often, this writer will not go against the boxer that calls himself “The Greatest.” I have Loma winning a wide decision victory.
Prediction: Lomachenko
Lenin Acevedo, Photographer
In my opinion this is the real main event. Bullfights are always entertaining, which is exactly what this bout will be. Lomachenko is a “Matador” in the ring. I don’t think he’ll have too much trouble taming the wild and aggressive Orlando Salido. You know, I really like Salido. He’s a powerful boxer that can deliver a knockout at any time in the fight, mostly in the late rounds. Salido has always been a slow starter. Don’t be surprised if at the very least he stumbles Lomachenko with a surprise blow. However, considering the highly skilled Ukrainian, that would be more of possibility than a probability. Good luck Salido.
Prediction: Lomachenko
Juan Carlos Burgos, Contributing Writer
Vasyl Lomachenko looks to continue his fast track to the top vs. Orlando Salido. Salido will need to employ his gritty style and lure Lomachenko into his fight. Lomachenko for his part needs to use his movement and overall ring generalship. If Salido can make it an uncomfortable fight he may have a chance, but I think Lomachenko is too skilled for Salido who at 33 has a lot of mileage on his odometer.
Prediction: Lomachenko
Alejandro Burgos, Editor-in-Chief
Orlando “Siri” Salido is a tough customer. He has derailed Top Rank’s “next big thing” before by knocking out Juan Manuel Lopez twice. His resume is quite impressive, and even in his losses he’s surely gained experience. The thing is, Vasyl Lomachenko is a unique specimen. If Lomachenko is indeed what Top Rank, Kevin Iole and countless others say he is, we will be witnessing history as he picks up the WBO Featherweight belt in just his second pro bout. I think Lomachenko will bait Salido into a toe-to-toe war and get the better of those exchanges. Hopefully, this sets up a bout against another legendary Olympian, Guillermo Rigondeaux.
Prediction: Lomachenko
