Orlando Salido wins seat on Mexican state legislature

All-action Mexican slugger Orlando Salido (44-14-4, 31 KOs) has taken up political ambitions and has just been elected as a state deputy in his home of Sonora, ESPN reports. Running in the same party as Mexico’s president elect Andres Manuel Lopez Obrador, Salido offered these thoughts on his win.

“It’s time to get together and work for the people who really need our help. They need better education, access to good health services and employment alternatives,” said Salido, who was picked to run by party officials in Sonora because of his roots there and popularity. “I was fortunate to have boxing in my life and was able to take that opportunity to better myself, and now I want to give back to the community that has supported me throughout my career.”

In boxing circles Salido is best known for his grueling style that tends to make for entertaining fights, as well as being the only guy to hold a professional win over Vasyl Lomachenko.

Salido, 39, hopes to carry forward in both careers, boxing and politics, much like Manny Pacquiao who is gearing up for a fight against Lucas Matthysse. Salido does admit, however, that he’s currently on an extended break from boxing as he gets settled in this new political venture.