By Ryan Burton

Juan Manuel Lopez appeared on a recent edition of BoxingScene's official audio show, The Boxing Lab to discuss potential opponents for his planned January return. The former two-division champion has been suspended since March and has seen potential fights against Wilfredo Vazquez Jr. and Diego Magdaleno fall apart for different reasons.  Lopez told us that the time way from the ring will help him come back stronger.

"I had been going strong for years in my career. I think the rest will do me good. I am ready to come back stronger," Lopez explained.

In a recent interview with BoxingScene's Luis Sandoval, featherweight contender Gary Russell Jr. said that he would love to face Lopez in the future. Lopez said that he would have no problem facing Russell Jr. as long as the Al Haymon advised fighter was willing to move up in weight for the fight.  

"I would be willing to fight him but Gary would have to move to move up to 130. I saw him fight once and he mentioned after that fight that he wanted to fight me," stated Lopez who said that he is interested in facing any of the top contenders.   "I am willing to fight anyone.  They just need to get with my manager and my promoter and make it happen."

JuanMa was building towards a highly anticipated showdown against Cuban rival Yuriorkis Gamboa before he suffered his first loss against Orlando Salido. Lopez said that he is still interested in facing his Gamboa. 

"I am still very interested in facing Gamboa. It is a very important fight like Manny Pacquiao versus Floyd Mayweather. It is a fight that needs to happen.  We both need the fight. Hopefully it can happen at 130 or 135. When it will happen I don't know but I want it to happen before my career is over," Lopez told The Boxing Lab.

 

You can listen to the interview in its entirety by clicking here: http://tobtr.com/s/3921295

Send questions or comments to ringsidewriter@gmail.com Follow Ryan on Twitter @ringsidewriter and tune in to The Boxing Lab, BoxingScene's official audio on Tuesdays. The show is hosted by Ernie Gabion, Luis Sandoval and Ryan Burton.