By Mark Vester
WBO welterweight champion Carlos Quintana and unbeaten Juan Manuel Lopez are planning to blitz their opponents on June 7 and bring home two big wins to Puerto Rico. The two fighters were present for a gathering before the boxing commission of Puerto Rico and spoke to El Nuevo Dia about their "televised conflict."
The two fighters appear in key bouts on the same day with rival networks televising. Quintana defends his title against Paul Williams in a rematch at the Mohegan Sun in Connecticut, with the bout being televised by Showtime. Lopez challenges WBO super bantamweight champion Daniel Ponce De Leon at the Boardwalk Hall in Atlantic City with HBO handling the broadcast.
"It's not good for us or for the fans of Puerto Rico, but my fight takes place at an ealier time and I'm going to win by an early knockout so the fans can see Juan's fight," said a laughing Quintana. "I didn't want the fight to take place on the same day, but other dates were blcoekd and we had to accept or my career was going to stall with the next opportunity not coming until September or October. If both cards begin on time, I think fans will be able to watch both shows."
Lopez said there are no hard feelings, he knows Quintana was not looking to take away the spotlight from his first title opportunity.
"We spoke about it and I'm fine," Lopez said. "Quintana has been honest with me and said they tried to avoid making the fight for the same day. I didn't want my fight on the same day either, but my mandatory title opportunity came and Carlos had a mandatory rematch. It's neither of our faults. This is business. I know the public will try to see both fights so I will finish my fight quick and expect to speak with Carlos to congratulate him since we are both going to win."
The boxing commission in Puerto Rico is planning a huge hero's welcome for both fighters, should they return as champions.
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