By Jhonny Gonzalez
Former champion Juan Manuel "Juanma" Lopez (31-2, 28KOs) is going back to his roots and learning new things as he prepares for a potential return in December. Lopez was knocked out in two of his last three fights. As we reported a few weeks ago, Juama added trainer Freddie Trinidad to his corner. Juanma started training with Trinidad at a gym located in Caimito, Puerto Rico. Lopez's corner will still include Orlando Piñero and coach Alex Caraballo.
Trinidad is helping Juanma improve his defense and close a major hole that exposed the Puerto Rican boxer in his recent defeats. The experienced trainer is helping Juanma avoid the "straight right hand" - a punch that gave him problems in both of his knockout defeats to Orlando Salido.
"We are coming twice a week (to Caimito), Wednesday and Friday. We reached a point where there are some things that we need to improve and maybe a third person coming in from the outside can us give a new perspective," said Juanma to Jose Sanchez.
Because of his close relationship with his current team, Juanma believes that he doesn't always listen to what they have to tell him. With Trinidad on board, he says the team has a new voice who won't be afraid to express his feelings about training or performances issues.
