By Mark Vester
WBO super bantamweight champion Juan Manuel Lopez wants the best at his weight, but he doesn't think that anyone is looking to fight him at the moment. Last weekend on the De La Hoya-Pacquiao undercard in Las Vegas, Juanma went right through Sergio Medina in one round. He wants a tougher test in 2009 like Israel Vazquez, Rafael Marquez or Celestino Caballero. Juanma plans to make a mandatory defense of his title in March.
Peter Rivera of Puerto Rico Best Boxing, Lopez's co-promoter, says Penalosa would be the best option for them under the circumstances. Penalosa, the WBO bantamweight champ is making a mandatory defense against Eric Morel in February, so a March bout with Juanma is not likely. If Penalosa wins, the two may clash in the summer on the Margarito-Cotto undercard being planned in June.
"The number one contender is Rey Bautista and that does little [for us]; the second is Rafael Marquez who seems to have other plans, the third is Ponce De Leon and the fourth is Medina," Rivera said to El Nuevo Dia.
Lopez doesn't think anyone at super bantamweight outside of the upper tier fighters will last the distance with him, but he doesn't think that he will blow out all of his opponents.
"I want to fight Israel Vazquez. That is the fight I want and he already said that he wants to do it. Vazquez is the best in the division and then Rafael Marquez and then Celestino Caballero, although he has two titles. I have to first fight my mandatory," Lopez told El Nuevo Dia.
"I don't want anyone to misinterpret me or come off as arrogant, but in reality I think that everyone at 122-pounds, except for Israel, Rafael and perhaps Celestino Caballero, will last the distance with me. Batista, Bernabe Concepcion and Penalosa can give me a good fight for a few rounds, but I do not believe that they will last the distance, although I am neither saying that all my fights are going to finish in the first round."
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