Lopez-Castaneda Rematch is Ordered By The WBC

By Miguel Rivera

The World Boxing Council (WBC) has ordered a rematch between Jose 'Wonder Boy' Lopez and Roberto Castaneda, after their controversial first meeting on August 16th in Caguas, Puerto Rico.

"We got a letter saying that the WBC ordered a rematch. For me it is a suggestion, since they can not order it," said Alex Camponovo, promoter of Castaneda, to Jose Sanchez. "We are interested in the rematch, but we must see the economics - if the promoter is willing to do it again, and if we have to travel to Puerto Rico again."

Lopez (15-0, 11KOs), who went down four times in the fight, had controversially defeated Castaneda to retain his WBC FECARBOX super bantamweight title with an eight round majority decision. The scores were 74-72, 73-73 and 74-72.

After match, there were allegations made by one of the official judges, that local commissioner Jose 'Toto' Peñagarícano tried to get him to change his scorecard and then took it upon himself to alter his official scorecard in favor of Lopez. There was video evidence of Penargicano speaking to two of the judges around the sixth round, which itself is illegal under the rules of the Professional Boxing Commission of Puerto Rico.