By Rafael Soto

Ciudad Obregon, Sonora - WBO featherweight world champion Orlando "Siri" Salido, will make the first defense of his crown in Ciudad Obregon, Sonora, in a promotion put together by Zanfer, Top Rank and Larsa Creative. Salido (35-11-1, 23 KOs) risks his title against American boxer Mike "Machine" Oliver (24-2-0, 8 KOs) at the Multipurpose Center in Ciudad Obregon and the show will be transmitted by TV Azteca and Fox Sports. In the co-feature will pit Alejandro "Alex" Valdez against Enrique "Duende" Bernache.

The official announcement was made Wednesday at a press conference. Salido shocked the boxing world last April by knocking out previously unbeaten Juan Manuel Lopez in eight rounds to capture the WBO featherweight crown.

"I'm thrilled that everything was finalized for the first defense of my crown before my people in Obregon. With the support of my people I will definitely emerge victorious and I'll provide a great show to the public. Thanks to Fernando Beltran of Zanfer, Sean Gibbons, and the sponsors who have made this dream of mine come true," Salido said at the press conference which took place at the Red Hut Restaurant in Sonora.

Oliver, who was national champion at super bantamweight under the International Boxing Organization (IBO), faced such opponents as Adam Carrera, Gary Stark Jr., Al Seeger, Kermin Guardia and Mauricio Pastrana. He defeated Mexican boxers such as Paulino Villalobos, Gilberto Bolanos, Jose Hernandez and Cruz Carbajal, but was knocked out by Antonio Escalante.

On the same card, Alejandro Valdez (25-3-2, 19 KOs) will be tested by Enrique "Duende" Bernache (17-2-0, 8 KOs) in fight scheduled for 10 rounds in the Super Bantamweight division. This fight is very important for both fighters, since the winner will get a front row position to fight for a world title in the near future.