By Miguel Rivera
Abner Cotto knows both Francisco Vargas (19-0, 13KOs) and Juan Manuel "Juanma" Lopez (34-3, 31KOs) very well. Juanma and Vargas will collide on July 12th in Las Vegas. While Cotto recently lost a decision to Vargas, he feels that his countryman has more than enough power to score a knockout victory. Cotto has a fight lined up on August 7th against Jerry Belmontes in Corpus Christi, Texas.
"Juanma has to be cautious, because although Vargas is a boxer he is a guy who attacks a lot," Cotto said. "I also think Juanma has the strength to knock Francisco Vargas out. After the fight he had with me on March 8, I don't think he's had time to recover physically. It was a tough fight. But I didn't take much punishment. I think Juanma has the fortitude to deal with Vargas. I know he has the strength to withstand any fighter."
