Orlando Salido tests positive for steroids, giving ‘The Ghost’
another shot at IBF title
Robert
”
The Ghost
”
Guerrero has new life.
Just days after losing his International Boxing Federation
Featherweight title to Mexico’s Orlando Salido in Las Vegas, it was
discovered that Salido had an illegal advantage when he entered the
ring.
Orlando Salido tests positive for steroids, giving ‘The Ghost’ another shot at IBF title
Robert “The Ghost” Guerrero has new life.
Just days after losing his International Boxing Federation Featherweight title to Mexico’s Orlando Salido in Las Vegas, it was discovered that Salido had an illegal advantage when he entered the ring.
Late Wednesday night it was discovered that Salido had tested positive for steroids. As a result, Salido’s title was immediately stripped and vacated by the IBF, meaning that the former champ will be next in line to win his title back. The bout is guaranteed to take place within 120 days against the IBF’s No. 2 challenger.
“It’s back to the drawing board now,” Guerrero’s Publicist Mario Serrano said. “We’re looking at a bright future and the possibility of being a two-time world champion at the age of 23.”
At the time of the fight, which took place at Mandalay Bay and was broadcast on HBO, Salido was the No. 1 challenger.
As it stands now it looks as though Guerrero would fight Denmark’s Spend Abazi, the next highest-ranking contender in the division, within a few months.
When he learned of the news Guerrero didn’t seem overly surprised.
“I hit this guy with some nice shots early in the fight and he didn’t budge,” Guerrero said. “Usually, when I hit guys with shots like that, they slow down. It had me thinking. It’s sad that he had to go to desperate measures in order to compete with me. I just thank Jesus Christ for coming out of this fight unharmed.
“The Nevada Athletic Commission is doing a great job because everyone who steps in the ring puts their life on the line. I’m just happy that my next fight will be a world championship fight. I’m fighting at the elite level in boxing and it’s a shame that Salido would have to use steroids to compete.”
Prior to the discovery, Salido had been declared the winner of the 12-round bout by unanimous decision. The judges scored the fight 115-113, 117-111, 118-110.
