Before Orlando Salido weigh-in even began his team members were telling people that he was unlikely to make weight. The three-time featherweight titlist from Mexico was 128¼ pounds, well over the 126-pound limit for what was supposed to be his first title defense against Vasyl Lomachenko(1-0,1 KO), the two-time Olympic gold medalist from Ukraine going for a world title in his second professional fight.
Salido (40-12-2, 28 KOs) was resigned to the fact that he wasn’t going to make 126 and did not attempt to lose any more weight, instead putting his pants back on, posing for pictures with Lomachenko and leaving the stage quietly.
The fight will go on with Lomachenko eligible to win the vacant belt. If Salido wins the fight the title will remain vacant. Salido also agreed to pay Lomachenko $15,000 from his $250,000 purse, which will increase Lomachenko’s payout to $215,000, according to Top Rank.
“He couldn’t make the weight,” Top Rank promoter Bob Arum said. “When they get older (Salido is 33), taking the last few pounds off is sometimes impossible. He really tried. He’s not a screw-up. They brought a doctor in (earlier Friday) and the doctor said if they forced him below 128 pounds there could be serious repercussions and dehydration. So he pays the fine, gives up the title and will make the best fight he can.”
Sean Gibbons, Salido’s manager, voiced concern about Salido’s ability to make weight at Thursday’s final news conference. On Friday, he was disappointed.
“He didn’t have problems making weight for the fight with Orlando Cruz,” Gibbons said of the fight in October when Salido won the vacant belt.
“But I got a little worried a couple of days ago when Orlando started talking about this being his last fight at 126. He got to 129 and had that gaunt look like he’s gonna pass out, and he just couldn’t do it.”
The Lomachenko team couldn’t care less about Salido’s weight. They just want the title in what would be a record for the fewest fights needed for a boxer to win a world title.
“It doesn’t matter what Salido weighs,” Egis Klimas, Lomachenko’s manager, said. “It’s OK. Doesn’t matter. We will win the title whether he’s on weight or not on weight.”
As WBO rules that Salido is no more champion, so Gary Russell, Jr. , USA. boxer has to fight with number 2 Chonlatarn Or Piriyapinyo from Thailand who has an opportunity for the opportunity for this world WBO Championship title.
On the other side, Madame Oh, Pariyakorn Ratanasuban, best female WBO promoter disclosed that as soon as receive this great news, she confirm with Chonlatarn to go training hard getting ready to challenge for this important fight. Together to have every one including trainers to study Gary Russell, Jr. seriously, then she himself is very push forward and the greatest chance for his life. As Chonlatarn’s opponent won 24 times in a row (knock out 14 times) but as for experience is Chonlatarn underdog clearly. As both physical are the same size. She is confidence that Chonlatarn will have experiences to win over. Now we are waiting for WBO to order mandatory. We are ready for Chonlatarn Or Piriyapingyo to go fight with Gary Russell Jr. and giving utmost efforts to bring title to Thailand.
