Julian Jackson Invites Juanma To Train in St. Thomas

By Chris LaBate

WBO featherweight champion Juan Manuel "Juanma" Lopez has received a special invitation and he might actually accept it. Tough puncher and former middleweight champion Julian "The Hawk" Jackson opened the doors of his home and gym in Caribbean island of St. Thomas, and wants Juanma to stay on the island to train for the April defense against former champion Orlando Salido of Mexico. Orlando Pineda, Lopez's manager, revealed that he and the fighter have a very good relationship with Jackson, who began his career in Puerto Rico in the early 80's.

"We are not going to rule out the island as the location for his preparation," said Pineiro to Carlos Rosario. "We have an invitation from Julian Jackson to go to St. Thomas to train. He is a person with whom we maintain a great relationship and friendship. He is very professional and Julian is even the current athletic director of St. Thomas. So we are thinking of starting there and take advantage of higher altitude level. It would allow us to only think about boxing."