In the main event of the evening in the grand tradition of Mexico versus Puerto Rico rivalry, Juan Manuel Lopez battled and beat a fierce Mexican warrior, Rafael Marquez in front of thunderous crowd of almost five thousand at the MGM Grand Garden Arena on Saturday night. Lopez, a much younger and stronger fighter, retained his WBO featherweight title and added a huge name to his ever growing dossier. In one word it was a thriller.
It was a tactical affair early on with both warriors giving a lot of respect to each other. Lopez finished with a strong flurry likely winning the first frame. Still cautious in the second, Juanma started to inch forward landing a crushing right hook that was met By Marquez's straight right hand. The battle commenced. Puerto Rican champion found a home for his right hook, but Marquez was firing back fluid combinations. Lopez hurt Marquez in the third with a left but staggered Mexican warrior fought back with the vengeance. Fireworks erupted in the fourth with Lopez seemingly the stronger guy until he got caught with straight right hand that almost lifted him off the ground. He managed to stay on his feet and continued to battle, but got penalized for hitting Marquez in the back of his head by referee Tony Weeks.
The real Puerto Rico versus Mexico battle raged on as both bruisers continued to land heavy bombs. Lopez pressed the action, but every time it looked like he was taking charge, Marquez would land a counter that stopped Puerto Rican in his tracks. Lopez found a home for an uppercut in the sixth hurting Marquez on several occasions. The war of attrition continued in the seventh. Marquez the proud warrior was taking a real beating inside, but he kept firing back inspiring the admiration of fans. Lopez continued fierce assault in the eighth, at times looking at the referee as if he wanted to say:" Do you want me to kill this guy or what? The bout was stopped between eighth and ninth stanza. Jimmie Lenon Jr. declared Juan Manuel Lopez a winner by TKO as Rafael Marquez was not able to continue. Marquez looked upset, like he wanted to go on, but I believe his corner did the right thing, stopping the fight protecting never die warrior from himself.
"The last couple of rounds, I thought he was hurt," said 27 year old Lopez:" That's why I asked the ref to stop it. I don't want to hurt anyone."
Even though it was Rafael Marquez who told his corner that he could not continue due to shoulder injury, he was not happy with the outcome. " It would have been an all time great fight, said thirty five year old Marquez:" I hope to get a rematch."
Lopez (30-0,28KO) said that he would be open to an idea of a rematch if Marquez would agree to fight in Puerto Rico. Juanma wanted to fight his next fight at home prior to his much anticipated and much talked about showdown with undefeated Cuban sensation Yuriorkis Gamboa in June of next year.
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