By Jake Donovan
Josesito Lopez is eyeing March 2013 as the time frame for his ring return.
The Californian has been inactive – and largely off the radar – since his crushing 4th round knockout loss to Saul Alvarez this past September. Lopez accepted a career-high payday for the fight, but at the steeper price of the bout taking place at super welterweight.
Nothing definitive is lined up for the future, other than confirmation that he will be closer to his natural fighting weight the next time he steps into the ring.
“I’ll back in the ring boxing in March in the 140 (or) 147 (lb.) division,” Lopez (30-5, 18KO) revealed Monday afternoon. “No name or date yet.”
Lopez weighed a career-heavy 153 lb. the showdown with Alvarez, suffering three knockdowns en route to the lone stoppage loss of his career. The fight came on the heels of the career super lightweight moving up to face Victor Ortiz at welterweight.
The payoff proved much greater on that June night, rallying from behind to batter the heavily favored Ortiz into submission after nine brutal rounds. Lopez was behind on all three scorecards, but managed to break the jaw – and spirit – of his opponent to score a dramatic upset.
An alphabet belt of sorts was at stake in the fight. It didn’t make Lopez a recognized champion, though it allows him to remain in consideration as a potential challenger for the winner of the upcoming welterweight showdown between Robert Guerrero and Andre Berto later this month.
Jake Donovan is the Managing Editor of Boxingscene.com. Follow Jake on Twitter: @JakeNDaBox
