Even though the hard-hitting Alex Saucedo catapulted himself to a world title opportunity against Maurice Hooker last year, a seventh-round loss for the WBO super lightweight title that Jose Ramirez now owns, the 25-year-old Oklahoman contender knew deep down inside that he had to make changes with his fighting style and corner ahead of his hometown fight last November.

Saucedo, who was trained by Abel Sanchez for his last seven fights, split with the Big Bear, Calif. based coach earlier this year and his since bestowed training duties to Pedro Neme Jr. and Eddie Autry.

The unit will make its debut as a team Saturday when Saucedo (28-1, 18 KOs) takes on Rod Salka (24-5, 4 KOs) at the Dignity Health Sports Park in Carson, Calif. The fight will be featured on the ESPN-televised card headlined by WBC junior lightweight champion Miguel Berchelt taking on Jason Sosa.

“Inside my head, I knew I needed change [from Abel]. I got comfortable by winning my fights via knockout, and going back in there and doing the same thing,” Saucedo told BoxingScene.com. “I needed a lot of movements and different things with technique. I’m young. I can’t just go forward with my chin and use my strength.

“It was tough after the Hooker fight. But then I started thinking about everything that went wrong, and I’m excited to show the new Alex Saucedo. I’m happy to put on a great performance, show my new technique and head movement and more jabs.”

Saucedo, who was coming off a thrilling win over Leonardo Zappavigna before falling to Hooker, joined Gennady Golovkin and became the second high-profiled fighter this year to split with Sanchez.

“It took a loss for me to wake up and see things in a different way,” said Saucedo. “I had to make changes to become a better fighter and person. The change is going to be good for me. I have to keep making statements every fight showing that I’m until I get another big opportunity.”

Saucedo said his first career loss, a crowd-pleasing, bloody affair, will help him become a better fighter.

He’ll be returning to the ring after a near one-year layoff looking to use the fight against the soft-hitting Salka as a way to get adjusted to the new voices in his corner.

“I know what type of fighter I am and what I have. I will be just as aggressive and powerful with my punches, just more movement,” said Saucedo. “It took a lot of time, six months, to get adjusted to the new training, but I’m ready now. I’ve seen many changes in my sparring. I’m looking forward to stealing the night in boxing. I have to make a statement and prove that I am better than ever.”

Manouk Akopyan is a sports journalist and member of the Boxing Writers Assn. of America since 2011. He has written for the likes of the Guardian, USA Today, Philadelphia Inquirer, Men’s Health and NFL.com and currently does TV commentary for combat sports programming that airs on Fox Sports. He can be reached on Twitter, Instagram, LinkedIn and YouTube at @ManoukAkopyan or via email at manouk.akopyan@gmail.com.