First run at Super Flyweight

Showing the first evidence of his impressive power in the lower weight classes Salgado followed these initial victories with six more and by compiled a perfect record of 8-0 with all wins coming by way of knockout before being matched against Jeremias Segovia for the vacant WBC Youth World super flyweight title on 27 October 2007 where he continued his winning streak by stopping his opponent in the eighth round to earn his first championship.

Going on to fight 10 more times at super flyweight Salgado defended his WBC Youth World super flyweight title on six occasions and in the process triumphed over the likes of Miguel Tique and former two-time world title holder Melchor Cob Castro, defeating the latter to add the WBC Youth World Caribbean Boxing Federation (CABOFE) super flyweight title to his collection with a decision victory.

His 18 fight winning streak at super flyweight came to an end with a knockout defeat to Juan Jose Montes where he was stopped in the second round.

Move up to Bantamweight

Following his first loss Salgado made the move up to 118 pounds and made his debut at the weight in a title match against fellow Mexican Luis May for the interim WBC Youth Intercontinental bantamweight Title on 3 April 2004 at the Parque Andrés Quintana Roo in his native Cozumel. In front of a home crowd Salgado was triumphant after 10 rounds, winning a unanimous decision to take his first championship at the weight.

Rematch with Tique

In September 2010 José knocked out veteran Miguel Tique in rematch of their 2008 fight with a fourth round stoppage to win the vacant WBC Youth World super bantamweight title in his first fight at 122 pounds; an achievement that meant Salgado had now won minor titles in three different weight classes.^[4]

Return to Super Flyweight

Following on from his victory over Tique, Salgado added two knockout victories at bantamweight before moving back down to super flyweight with a third round knockout over title contender Everardo Morales to win the vacant NABF super flyweight championship.^[5] He then went on to face challenger Carlos Ariel Farías who he stopped in the first round to add the vacant NABA super flyweight title.^[6]

WBA Super Flyweight Championship

On December 10, 2011 Salgado faced Liborio Solís for the interim WBA super flyweight title at Bicentennial Park in Nayarit, Mexico however was ultimately defeated by twelve round split decision with judges Luis Pabon and Jose Roberto Torres scoring the fight 117-11 for Solís whilst judge Jason Garcia scored it 117-111 for Salgado.^[7]

Regaining the NABF Championship

Following his loss to Solís, Salgado defeated Jesus Limones by fifth round knockout followed by an eight round draw with Cecilio Santos before he had the opportunity to regain the now vacant NABF super flyweight title after being matched with Fidel Colmenares on September 8, 2012 at the Arena Miguel Canto in Cozumel. Winning the bout with a first round knockout Salgado recorded the 25th stoppage of his career in only his 31st contest.

WBC Super Flyweight Championship

After four successful defenses of his newly won title either side of a decision victory over Javier Armando Rodriguez, Salgado signed to fight Carlos Cuadras, who would be making the first defense of his WBC super flyweight title on September 20, 2014 at Estadio de Beisbol in Sinaloa, Mexico.

Aiming to win his first world title at the second attempt, Salgado was competitive in the early rounds despite suffering a suspected broken nose in the third round after being rocked by a straight right hand from Cuadras.^[8] However American referee Jay Nady was forced to stop the fight before the end of the fourth round after an accidental clash of heads a caused injury to the left eyelid of Salgado and, after checking with the ringside doctor, the fight was declared a technical draw with 32 seconds remaining in the round.^[9]