By Mark Vester
Prior to heading out for to the East Coast for the biggest fight of his career, the family of undefeated Juan Manuel Lopez threw him a going away party in Puerto Rico. On the June 7 undercard to Kelly Pavlik-Gary Lockett at the Boardwalk Hall in Atlantic City, Lopez will challenge Mexican puncher Daniel Ponce De Leon for the WBO super bantamweight title.
Lopez says that he is feeling the pressure creeping up inside of him, but that won't stop him from knocking off the smirk from Ponce De Leon's face. Both fighters have predicted knockouts before the eight-round.
"I'm feeling a little pressure, this has been a long road for me," Lopez said to El Nuevo Dia. "I know a lot of Puerto Ricans will be watching. Ponce De Leon will stop laughing when the bell sounds on the 7th. I have no problems with the weight, everything is ready to go."
A double-celebration is already being planned for Lopez's return to Puerto Rico as a champion. He will share the return with Carlos Quintana, who defends his WBO welterweight title on the same night in Connecticut against Paul Williams.
Send News Tips and Comments To Mark Vester @ boxingscene@hotmail.com
