By James Blears

Mexican figher Rudy Lopez has been battling for most of his twenty five years.

He defeated alcohol and drug problems and went on to win the WBC’s Featherweight title in 2006, lost it, and then discovered he was suffering from a cancerous growth in his stomach.

The cancer was found on January 2nd of last year. Since then Rudy underwent an operation, was successfully treated with a combination of medicines  and amazingly he’s fighting a comeback six rounder at Mayan Challenge Xcaret on May 16th.

Rudy spoke of his titanic fight-the toughest of his life, which he won with the help of doctors and his Wife Edith. So he could be here to watch his baby Daughter Valeria Naomi reach her fifteenth birthday.

An emotional and thankful Rudy said: “It was horrible. I was frightened and sometimes depressed, but determined to fight back. God has given me a new life, and I’m not going to waste it. Marvelous things are ahead. I’m going to be a champion of the world again because I know I have the determination and the qualities to achieve it. I’m going to fight to change and improve the life of my family.”

Rudy who’s been totally free of cancer, and has been given a clean bill of health, has been training since last November. He will box Pablo “Torito” Polanco in a Super lightweight bout. Rudy’s avowed intention is to be a world champion again, within two years.

The bill will include an official eliminator for the Light Flyweight title between Omar Niño and Filipino Juanito Rubillar. Flyweight Wilberth “Huracan” Uicab will fight Filipino Ronquilo Salvador. While Jose Emilio Perea and Juan Pablo Sanchez will contest the Fearbox Lightweight title.

This boxing extravaganza in historic beautiful Xcaret, is the latest in an array of events in Quintana Roo, which included Mexico’s first ever world heavyweight title fight in March 2008. That saw Sam Peter defeat Oleg Maskaev. There have also been shows in Chetumal and Cozumal.

The press conference to promote this latest chapter, was held at the Marriott Hotel in downtown Mexico City. Mayan dancers dressed as Jaguars and Gods, in exotic costumers and headdresses gave a stunning an athletic, artistic and close range display to an appreciative on the edge of their seats audience, to the timing of drumbeats.

The Governor of Quintana Roo, Felix Gonzlez Canto who attended the press conference said: “Once more, we’re very happy to have a event with a group of superb fighters which will surely bring many people, via the great exhibition of television, radio and newspapers. I’m very happy about it.

“Comparing references to Las Vegas is always a good point, because we are competing with it for fights, and I’m very pleased we are having success achieving it. Maybe there will be more places to hold more boxing events in Quintano Roo in the future.”

Co promoter Pepe Gomez who explained the arena for this event will be have a capacity for six thousand fans, called Mayan Challenge at Xcaret , the jewel in the crown, and a tourism paradise. He also took the time to praise Rudy Perez’s immense courage for having defeated alcohol and drug  problems to win the Junior World Championship and then the WBC title, and then successful overcoming cancer, to be able to climb back in a quest for another world title opportunity.