BoxingOpinions Special: Orlando Salido... Journeyman to Champion!

I guess you could say that WBO featherweight champion Orlando Salido is one of the most unlikely champions around today. The Mexican warrior lost eight of his first seventeen fights and at one point he was even considered as a journeyman and a fighter that was going nowhere in his career. However, that all changed when he defeated world-class talent Robert Guerrero...

After the fight with Guerrero, Salido apparently tested positive for steroids but the test was retaken and there was nothing illegal found in his body. Although he was proved innocent, the steroids rumour meant that Salido still wasn't really able to get rid of his journeyman 'label'. But, a fighter like Salido does not let this sort of thing affect him. He continued to fight and in 2010 he landed a fight with pound-for-pound contender Yuriorkis Gamboa. Salido did not win the fight but he proved that he was able to compete at world level.

Things then got even better for the 32-year old. He was given the opportunity to to challenge undefeated world champion Juan Manuel Lopez for the WBO title.

Salido went into the fight as a massive underdog and nobody, including Lopez, really expected him to win. This is what made Salido's victory even sweeter. He shocked the world by stopping Lopez in the 8th round and he became the new featherweight champion of the world.

Salido-Lopez II could be fight of the year.

Lopez moaned about the fight and claimed that the referee stepped in way too early but it was clear that the Puerto Rican was in big trouble. A rematch between the two fighters was made this year and again it took place in Lopez's home country. Everyone in the whole arena, including the judges, was against Salido. But, he didn't care! He sent Lopez crashing to the canvas in round 10 and the referee stopped the fight. The fight is a huge contender for fight of the year.

Salido may have turned pro at the age of 15, he may have been in more wars than he can actually remember, he may be showing signs of ring wear but nobody can deny that this man will give any featherweight in the world trouble. He is the current world champion and he is still looking very, very strong!