By Ryan Burton
Former two division champion Juan Manuel "JuanMa" Lopez (31-2) made a recent appearance on The Boxing Lab, BoxingScene's official audio show. JuanMa spoke to us about a variety of topics including his suspension following his March 10th TKO loss to Orlando Salido in their rematch.
Lopez said that he used the time away from the ring to regroup and spend time with his family.
"I feel very good. I am very happy and very grateful. All I am thinking about is getting back in the ring and resuming my career," Lopez stated.
He also said that he has been training and will be in top condition when he returns to the ring.
"I used the time to relax and spend time with my family. Its something I missed and needed to do. I have been back in the gym the past 2, 3 months training. I have been working hard."
The Caguas, Puerto Rico resident also spoke about his ongoing feud against countryman Wilfredo Vazquez Jr. and why their potential January 19th fight fell apart.
"It started with an interview he did. He said some things I didn't appreciate and I answered back and then we went back and forth. That is how it got started and then he brought my family into it and that is how it escalated," Lopez told The Boxing Lab.
Lopez said the problem with making the fight is that he can't make the 126 pound featherweight weight limit anymore and that Vazquez refused to move up from 122 pounds to 128 pounds.
"That is the fight he wants. They offered me that fight. Everyone wanted it including HBO but I'm not at 126 anymore so they offered it at 128 but he's coming from 122 and doesn't want to go up there. I can't make 126 anymore. That is why the fight isn't happening," Lopez explained.
You can listen to the interview in its entirety by clicking here: http://tobtr.com/s/3921295
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Tuesdays. The show is hosted by Ernie Gabion, Luis Sandoval and Ryan Burton
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