By Mark Vester

During the Las Vegas media festivities for Oscar De La Hoya vs. Manny Pacquiao at the MGM Grand - two future rivals met face to face. Unbeaten WBO super bantamweight champon Juan Manuel Lopez met with Israel Vazquez, the WBC champ. The two of them were friendly and spoke about a future fight down the line. Lopez has called for a fight with Vazquez in 2009.

"Are you ready to fight," Vazquez [quoted by El Nuevo Dia] said to Juanma. The two fighters shook hands and posed for photos while media members looked on.  

"Clearly I am ready to fight in June or on any date. It's an honor and a pleasure for me to know you, and it's also going to be an honor for me to fight you," Juanma replied.

Juanma said that in order to be the best at super bantamweight, he has to fight Vazquez.

"I want to be the best at 122-pounds and for that I have to fight him. I have said on several occasions that Israel Vázquez is the best," Lopez told El Nuevo Dia. "I believe the questions is the promoters and trainers coming to an agreement. For me, it can be in New York, or in Las Vegas."

Vazquez said the fight would be an interesting one.

"The two styles would make for an interesting fight. He is a good technician with a great punch, and I, for my part, I am a warrior. It makes for a good combination," Vazquez said.

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