By Mark Vester
WBO super bantamweight champion Juan Manuel Lopez (25-0, 23KOs) is expecting a tough fight from challenger Olivier Lontchi (18-0-2, 8KOs). They meet on June 27 at the Boardwalk Hall in Atlantic City as the headline bout of the Latin Fury 9 pay-per-view from Top Rank. Many view the fight as a blowout for Lopez. The champion doesn't agree.
"A lot of eople believe that it's a one-sided fight but it won't be. Lontchi is different than any other opponent that I have face. He boxes and moves a lot, throws a few punches and continues to move. He is an opponent who will be a little uncomfortable [to fight]," Lopez told Primera Hora. "I still have no doubt that I'm going to win, even by knockout."
Alexander Caraballo, who trains Lopez, agrees with his fighter and views Lontchi as a tough opponent. He doesn't believe that any opponent should be overlooked.
"[Lontchi] is stong and has a good style. He won't be easy. We have to be cautious because he likes to come in with his head. Every opponent is dangerous, even one who doesn't have a lot of knockouts. He is coming to try to take the title from us and we will do whatever is necessary to prevent that," Caraballo said.
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