By Rey Colon

Undefeated WBO featherweight champion Juan Manuel Lopez has confirmed that 2011 will be his last year at 126 pounds and he will move to the junior lightweight division in 2012.

"We have two fights at 126, Orlando Salido and a rematch with Rafael Marquez. And then I hope to go to 130 pounds in 2012. I think I can get to 135, but I'm also looking at 140 pounds, "he said.

Lopez, with a record of 30-0 and 27 knockouts, will return on April 16 to defend his crown against Salido at the Ruben Rodriguez Coliseum in Bayamon.

"We're at 50% of the preparation. We're just dropping by weight and are 14 pounds away [from the limit]. I'm very happy and we're going to win it round by round and the knockout will come later," he added.

He explained that a unification with Yuriorkis Gamboa could take place later this year or in 2012.