Photos: Gilberto Ramirez Visits Salido, Backs Him To Beat Vargas

WBO Super Middleweight Champion Gilberto Ramirez run into his good friend two-time champion Orlando "Siri" Salido tonight at Hill St. Gym in Long Beach. Ramirez has started his camp for his first title defense on July 23 in Las Vegas and Salido will take on Francisco "Bandido" Vargas this Saturday June 4 at StubHub Center in Carson, California on HBO.

“I am very satisfied with the way the training camp went and I am ready to take on Francisco Vargas on June 4 and look forward to give the fans a great fight,” said Salido, from his hometown of Ciudad Obregon, Sonora where he has been training for the fight.

Vargas  (23-0-1, 17 KOs) of Mexico City will be making the first defense of the title against Salido (43-13-3, 30 KOs, 1 NC) in the main event of a card promoted by Golden Boy Promotions that will telecast HBO in their popular show “Boxing After Dark”

“I am very anxious to in the ring and very motivated that I will face a great champion and fight for prestigious WBC belt a championship that I have dream of fighting for since I was 12 years Old and saw my idol Julio Cesar Chavez wear it with pride and honor,”, said Salido.

Salido finish his 10 week training camp (Four in Nogales and six in Cd. Obregon) on Friday with an intense 12 round sparring session with Miguel Beltran, Alan Herrera and Santos Dominguez and will fly to Los Angeles on Sunday.

“I feel great physically and mentally for this fight. I know I did everything I need to do to win the fight. I am close to the weight and will only need to keep it in check for the week leading into the fight,” said Salido, who has won the WBO feather and super feather weight belts and the IBF featherweights.

“This is going to be a great fight for the fans, our styles are made for each other and I am ready for a 12 rounds war. I want to a world champion again and I will not be denied”, said Salido. 

Salido will travel with team Santos Moreno, Victor Barron, Dr. Eduardo Covarrubias, Jose Manuel Miranda, Armando Castro and Joel Luna on Sunday for one last week of promotion leading to one of the most anticipated fights in recent years.

Tickets for Francisco Vargas vs. Orlando Salido are priced at $200, $100, $50 and $25, plus applicable taxes, fees and services charges and are on sale now. Tickets can be purchased at AXS.com, by phone at 888-9-AXS-TIX (888-929-7849), and at StubHub Center Box Office (Monday through Friday from 10 a.m. PT to 6 p.m. PT).  VIP Suites are available by calling 877-604-8777.  For more information on group discounts or VIP packages, call 877-234-8425.

Vargas vs. Salido is a 12-round battle for the WBC Super Featherweight Championship presented by Golden Boy Promotions in association with Zanfer Promotions and sponsored by Cerveza Tecate, BORN BOLD and Casa Mexico Tequila. The HBO Boxing After Dark telecast begins live at 10:30 p.m. ET/PT.