A pair of World Boxing Organization (WBO) title fights due to head to a purse bid hearing have been met with a four-day delay perhaps just long enough for a previous matchup to come into play. Previous reports had WBO super featherweight titlist Roman Martinez and specifically his promoter Puerto Rico Best Boxing Promotions (PRBBP) moving on from a planned third fight with Orlando Salido, instead eyeing a mandatory title defense versus Mexicos Miguel Berchelt. The WBO ordered immediate negotiations in late December, with a five-day period in place before ordering a purse bid, which was previously due to take place this Friday at its headquarters in San Juan, Puerto Rico. 　 The WBO announced on Wednesday that the session has been moved to January 12th in New York City . However, its entirely possible by then that there is no longer a super featherweight title fight on which to bid. Sources have informed others that talks have renewed for a third clash with Salido, with said bout targeted to take place on March 12 at a location and network to be determined. Showtime was highly interested in the fight and was hoping to showcase the bout on a Feb. 20 telecast. Should the network remain on board (Showtime representatives declined comment), the American cable giant could get its wish only a few weeks later. However, logistical hurdles remain in the way of that becoming a reality. There have also been talks of the fight being picked up by Fox. The free-to-air American broadcast network tentatively has a March 12 date in place for a future showing of Premier Boxing Champions (PBC), a series founded by Al Haymon, who serves as Martinez' adviser (along with over 200 other fighters). A location has yet to be determined, although similar talks have the series heading back to Puerto Rico, where Martinez (29-2-3, 17KOs) claimed the title in a minor upset win over Salido in their first fight last April. Martinez first defense was his rematch with Salido, which aired live last September on Showtime Pay-Per-View, in supporting capacity to the reportedly final fight of Floyd Mayweathers career, a 12-round victory over Andre Berto in Las Vegas. The bout between Martinez and Salido viewed by many experts as among the best of 2015 ended in a three-way draw. Most viewers had Salido winning the rematch, which would have served as sweet revenge for his title-losing effort to Martinez in their first fight which took place last April in Puerto Rico. Salido was sour on the manner in which the bout was officiated and disinterested in staging a third fight in Martinez backyard. His stance was enough to prompt Peter Rivera, vice president of PRBBP to move on from talks for a third fight. The decision was made to attempt to get the mandatory defense out of the way. As Berchelt and Salido are both represented by Zanfer Promotions in Mexico, talks for a mandatory title fight always appeared destined to head to a purse bid. The WBO expedited talks to put pressure on both camps to get a deal done whether a mandatory title fight or a third fight between Martinez and Salido. Popular opinion suggests the right decision was made in proceeding with Martinez-Salido III, even if it means Salido must begrudgingly once again hit the road. The other major title fights on the docket is a super middleweight clash between defending champ Arthur Abraham and unbeaten mandatory challenger Gilberto Ramirez. Abraham-Ramirez remains likely to go to a purse bid, though the new location suits Ramirez side. The hearing will take place at Madison Square Garden at 12:00 p.m. ET, the same time and location where Top Rank already has scheduled a press conference to announce an HBO-televised doubleheader for Feb. 27 at Madison Square Garden Theatre.
Jesus, these 2 again. Are they trying to end ones career and cut the other in half. Sometimes too much of a good thing is just too much. Great for the fans but ouch, just thinking of a 3rd
Well I'm glad Salido is standing his ground on this one and not wanting to go back to Puerto Rico... He's had to go to the Island when it was not necessary to fight, like after he beat JuanMa and had to go back to P.R. for the rematch, ridiculous! That fight should of been in Mexico. Salido was the winner in that second fight.
Salido won but couldn't get the decision in the US, he's certainly not getting the decision in Puerto Rico. He's not knocking out Martinez either. I'm not watching the same nonsense one more time.
Lomachenko's daddy is having a rough time finishing off this Boricua. Maybe Vasyl should help his daddy train and get his stamina up like when he got his first beating. Orlando and Roman are both the sons of Mikey Garcia and Lomanchenko is his grandson.
