By Miguel Rivera

Interim-WBA minumumweight champion Jesus Silvestre (26-3, 19KOs) will defend his title against rugged Ganigan Lopez (21-5, 14KOs) on January 5th at Deportivo del Sindicato del Metro in Mexico City.

Silvestre traveled to Thailand in 2011 to challenge for that interim-WBA belt and lost a close decision to unbeaten home fighter Paipharob Kokietgym. Two fights later he beat Edwin Diaz to capture that title.

Lopez is tough and in 2010 he gave Adrian Hernandez all that he could handle but lost a ten round split decision. Lopez suffered a big setback in May when he was knocked out in two rounds by Denver Cuello in a WBC final elminator.