By Miguel Rivera
IBF super featherweight champion Jose "Sniper" Pedraza (21-0, 12KOs) is finally able to train without worries.
The junior lightweight champion will make a mandatory defense of his title on April 16 against British challenger Stephen Smith, possibly in Connecticut.
"We are relieved that we know everything," responded Luis Espada, coach and stepfather of Pedraza, to Carlos Gonzalez.
Promoter Lou DiBella, who works with Pedraza, was awarded the promotional rights to stage the fight. Pedraza is entitled to receive 75% of that amount of money.
Espada had expressed frustration with DiBella the way the negotiations played out for a fight with Smith. He even acknowledged that having expressed publicly may have resulted with some negative consequences.
"We will not get involved in cold wars, but we would like to let you know that we are in the same line of thought, which is the welfare of Pedraza," Espada said.
"We are clear with what was done. It was not the best circumstances to go to the negotiating table, but after the rough edges there is reconciliation."
He also added that Pedraza's run at 130 pounds is nearing it's completion.
"I believe that after this fight with (Smith) we'll do one more, and then look at 135 pounds. We would like to unify with whoever is in the best position to negotiate. One possibility could be the winner between (Francisco) and Vargas (Orlando) Salido (which is scheduled for June 4th). Regardless of who wins that fight, it would be a war between Mexico and Puerto Rico," Espada said.