by David P. Greisman, with translation help from a friend

A criminal trial against Wilfredo Vazquez Jr. has been delayed until this fall, and meanwhile attorneys — representing him, as well as a couple also charged after an altercation with the former junior featherweight titleholder — attempt to work out a settlement, according to Puerto Rican newspaper El Nuevo Dia.

“There is a complaint and a counter-complaint. If one party takes away the complaint for lack of interest, we would be talking to determine if both parties will withdraw,” Vazquez’s attorney was quoted as saying.

In the meantime, the trial has been rescheduled for Oct. 15, due to the legal discovery process not being done yet, according to the article.

The alleged incident happened in July at a mall in Bayamon. Vazquez, a man named Joshua Cuadrado and a woman named Libniria Berrios Rivera each have been charged with one count of simple assault and one count of disturbing the peace.

Those charges carry a maximum penalty of up to six months in jail and/or a $500 fine.

Vazquez, 28, was quoted in past newspaper coverage as saying he didn’t attack the couple, but was entering an area of the mall at the same time as the couple when the woman yelled at him and said something to the effect of “Why don’t you go first, you [expletive], if you’re in such a hurry?”

Vazquez claims the woman also slapped his left cheek, and the man pushed him to the floor and held him there while the woman hit him.

He said he didn’t hit anyone. “I got him off of me because they were suffocating me,” Vazquez was quoted as saying by El Nuevo Dia. “I am incapable of hitting a woman or a kid because I’m Papito Vazquez. I’ve always been taught that I cannot use my hands to attack anyone. I cannot use my hands for my benefit to attack a person. I’m not going to throw my job away for two people that are nothing in my life.”

Vazquez last fought in February, losing a split decision to Nonito Donaire. The defeat dropped his record to 21-2-1 with 18 knockouts. He is scheduled to face Rafael Marquez on Oct. 6.

His career, he said, has not been affected by this case.

“These are the tasks that happen and help one to grow and mature. I am clear, and I’m quiet, and I let it be what God wants,” he was quoted as saying. “I sleep in peace and quiet and am sure of what happened that day.”

David P. Greisman is a member of the Boxing Writers Association of America. Follow David on Twitter @fightingwords2 or send questions/comments via email at fightingwords1@gmail.com

Tags: Wilfredo Vazquez Jr.