By Mark Vester
WBO super bantamweight champion Juan Manuel Lopez is headlining this weekend at the Boardwalk Hall in Atlantic City, defending his title against undefeated Olivier Lontchi in the main event of Top Rank's Latin Fury 9 pay-per-view. He doesn't want to look beyond his upcoming fight, but Juanma is starting to get the feeling that the two best fighters at his weight are avoiding him.
He says Israel Vazquez and Rafael Marquez would rather face each other for a fourth time than accept his challenge for a future showdown. Juanma would like to fight either of the two next.
"What I'm going to say, I say it with integrity. I want to fight them but they would rather fight each other for a fourth time than make a fight with me. I want the winner of that fight at super bantamweight, featherweight, anywhere," Juanma said. "I don't think they are afraid. I just think they don't want to take a risk against a young guy coming up. It's only reason I can think of."
Though he lacks the experience, he is confident that he can beat either Marquez or Vazquez in the ring.
"Boxing is all about styles and I think I have [the style] to beat them. They have more experience than me but I am a lefty who moves very well. I have speed, youth and I hit hard. I'm not saying that beating them will be easy to do, but frankly I think I can win," Juanma said.
Send News Tips and Comments To Mark Vester @ boxingvester@gmail.com
