Unbeaten rising star from Puerto Rico, Juan Manuel Lopez took a short trip from Las Vegas to Los Angeles to meet Southern California press and to answer a few questions regarding his upcoming showdown with Mexican ring great, Rafael Marquez.
“It’s definitely not going to be an easy fight," said Lopez who is scheduled to face Marquez this Saturday at the MGM Grand Garden Arena in Las Vegas:" Marquez has been in some wars, so that's what I'm preparing for." Televised live by Showtime Championship boxing, their twelve round bout will be fought for the WBO featherweight title that currently belongs to Lopez. " Facing a guy like Marquez makes the fight that much bigger," said Juan Manuel, who has yet to suffer a defeat as a professional:" It does carry a lot more weight for me than any regular fight. This is much bigger than that."
With a professional record consisting of 29 wins, no losses and 26 wins by a knock out, Lopez only came close to loosing once, about a year ago when he faced rugged African veteran Rogers Mtagwa in New York City at famous Madison Square Garden. Dominating early rounds due to superior skill and speed, Lopez used up a lot of energy trying to go for a knock out unsuccessfully; he ran out of steam in late rounds and seemingly out on his feet Juan Ma miraculously, survived the final stanza to earn a unanimous decision victory. Weather it was due to difficulties Lopez had trying to make weight for the junior featherweight limit of 122 pounds or lack of conditioning, Juan Manuel moved up to full featherweight for his next fight and promptly stopped long standing champion, Steven Luevano.
“I think the key to this fight is conditioning," said Rafael Marquez who will square of against Lopez this Saturday. Has Juan Ma learned his lesson? “I had a really good camp in Puerto Rico and then in Las Vegas last week," said Lopez who seemed to be in tremendous shape: “I am definitely ready to get in the ring."
Headlining at the Mecca of boxing at the MGM Grand in Las Vegas, facing Mexican Marquez, Lopez feels extra sense of responsibility to continue a tradition of long standing rivalry between Puerto Rican and Mexican fighters. “I think it is the biggest rivalry in boxing," said Lopez:" We've had some great fights, but it's not just the fights. We've also had some great fighters, some true legends."
“I think it's a very dangerous fight," said Todd Duboef of Top Rank, a company that is promoting the event:" One thing you have to know about Rafael Marquez is that he can punch. He is a devastating puncher and a great warrior."
With a 90 percent knout ratio Lopez can hold his own in a power punching department. So what we have here is Mexico versus Puerto Rico; two great power punchers and two excellent technical boxers, which equals to a great fight. Don't miss this one.
Check out Todd Duboef video interview. Contact Igor Frank at axident@pacbell.netor Southern California Boxing Blog.
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