Orlando Salido vs. Terdsak Kokietgym: Fight Time, Date, TV Info and More

A shot at the WBO interim super featherweight title will bring Thai veteran Terdsak Kokietgym (53-4-1, 33 KO) to Mexico to take on hard-boiled Mexican contender Orlando Salido (41-12-2, 28 KO).

Salido is coming off a huge win over highly touted amateur-turned-pro Vasyl Lomachenko in his last fight. Though he has a healthy amount of losses on his record, you won't find many fighters in the lower weight regions as tough as Salido.

The fight will take place at Auditorio Municipal Fausto Gutierrez Moreno in Tijuana, Baja California, Mexico, so there's no question which fighter will be the fans' favorite. 

Salido is the classic Mexican boxer. He's tough as nails, and he likes to come forward and slug and do his damage on the inside.

It's difficult to imagine Kokietgym coming away with a decision victory; then again, both of these men like to throw punches. The judges' cards may not come into play. Either way, it should be an exciting scrap. Here's how you can watch.

When: Saturday at 11 p.m. ET

TV: Azteca/BeIn Espanol

The Old Warrior

USA TODAY Sports

In his 18-year, 56-fight career (including one no-contest), Salido has faced a who's who of opponents in his weight region. He's fought and defeated Lomachenko, Juan Manuel Lopez (twice), Lamont Peterson and Orlando Cruz. Salido has also faced Mikey Garcia, Robert Guerrero, Yuriorkis Gamboa and Cristobal Cruz (whom he split two fights with).

Salido would love another shot at Garcia, and winning this bout over Kokietgym could be a step in that direction. Garcia is the regular titleholder, but he's on the shelf with an injury.

That's why Scott Christ of Bad Left Hook calls the interim belt at stake "a title that actually makes sense existing since Mikey Garcia, the full titleholder, is out of action right now." 

It's safe to say he's seen it all in the ring. At the age of 33, he should still have some tread on his tires. However, having fought in so many wars, you wonder when he's going to become shopworn.

Salido doesn't talk like a fighter ready to fall off. He told Jake Donovan of Boxing Scene:

"

I always work hard, and can compete with everyone in my weight class. They say it’s easy to get to the top, but to maintain yourself and stay there is the hard part. For me, to still be at this level after all of this time, it’s a reflection of my hard work. I spent a long time grinding to make featherweight; now I’m going to push even harder to prove I’m the best (130 lb.) fighter in the world.

"

He didn't look to be close to the end against Lomachenko, though most would admit that if the bout had been an old-school 15-rounder, the sharp Ukrainian may have come away with the win.

As it is, Salido won and he has momentum heading into this bout.

The bout with Kokietgym is strange for Salido because the Thai fighter is the first opponent in a while who has more in-ring experience. Can Salido beguile another crafty veteran?

Behind Enemy Lines

After spending almost his entire career fighting in his native Thailand, Kokietgym will travel to Mexico seeking a world title. He's failed in four previous attempts to capture a world championship.

The title on the line is just an interim belt, but it's more than Kokietgym has held previously. In prior attempts, Kokietgym has fallen to Juan Manuel Marquez, Steve Luevano and Takahiro Ao.

This would seemingly be Kokietgym's most winnable title opportunity, until you consider the location. Judges may attempt to be totally objective, but beating Salido by decision in Mexico is going to be close to impossible.

Can Kokietgym take the decision out of the judges' hands? That's going to probably be his only hope.

Prediction

This should be an excellent, all-action fight. Both men like to bang away on the inside, and between them, they have 61 knockouts.

The bout should be fought in a phone booth where both men will have their moments. If an opponent stands in front of Salido, the grizzled veteran has the defense, chin and punching accuracy to make it tough on him.

That's exactly what Kokietgym will do.

The Thai fighter is at a slight disadvantage when it comes to height. That's an odd edge for Salido, who is normally the smaller fighter in the ring. The size advantage should allow Salido to have his way on the inside.

Salido should get the better of exchanges and do solid work to the body, but he won't stop Kokietgym. The latter has only failed to go the distance in a loss once, and that happened eight years ago against Marquez. 

Even with the aid of the adrenaline supplied by the crowd, Salido won't score the TKO or KO, but he will gain the win in a bruising and crowd-pleasing brawl.

Follow Brian Mazique on Twitter. I dig boxing and MMA.