SAN JUAN, Puerto Rico - This Saturday, undefeated world champion Juan Manuel "Juanma" will defend his featherweight title from the World Boxing Organization (WBO) against world ranked Bernabe Concepcion of the Philippines (photos by Joel Perez/PRBBP).
The "Challenge" will be presented by Top Rank Inc. and PR Best Boxing Promotions at the Coliseo Jose Miguel Agrelot in Hato Rey, Puerto Rico and will be televised live on Showtime on its "Championship Boxing" series.
This will be the first defense for Lopez (28-0, 25 KO's) who won his second world championship on January 23, 2010 with a spectacular knockout in the seventh round of Steven Luevano in New York.
Concepcion is ranked at number eight in the WBO and on Feb. 13 in Las Vegas he defeated Puerto Rican Mario Santiago to earn this title shot against Lopez. The Philippines fighter is guided by the great Manny Pacquiao and trained by Freddie Roach at Wild Card Gym in Hollywood, California.
"We are pleased to present this fight with Juan Manuel Lopez to Puerto Rico, as we know it's important for him to fight before his people. This is not an easy fight for Juanma, he is facing a strong fighter who is coming well prepared to win the title. I'm sure will be a great night of boxing at the Coliseo de Puerto Rico and another great chapter in Puerto Rico vs. the Philippines series, the new rivalry in boxing, "said Bob Arum of Top Rank.
In the co-feature match of the night, California-based filinino, Nonito Donaire (23-1, 15 KO's) will defend his interim super flyweight crown of the World Boxing Association (WBA) against Mexican Hernan "Tyson" Marquez (27 - 1, 20 KO's) from Empalme, Sonora.
The world ranked bantamweight Jonathan Oquendo, former Olympian McJoe Arroyo, cruiserweight Carlos Negron, the undefeated prospect Jose "Chelo" Gonzalez and heavyweight Victor Bisbal will see action on this card.
Oquendo (18-2, 11 KO's) will look better place in the WBO rankings at 122 pounds, when he takes on Filipino Eden Sonsona, with a 19-5 record and six knockouts. The brawl betweenl Oquendo and Sonsona is set for a 10-round super bantamweight limit with the North American Boxing Association (NABO) title of the WBO on the line.
DONAIRE
"All Mexican fighters are brave, so do I not underestimate them, and Marquez is coming off a loss and that makes him more dangerous, but we are prepared for everything. I have too have power in my fists and I'm ready to defend my title" said Donaire. "I want to face Montiel, Arce and Darchinyan, we want big names, big fights and we're more than ready.
"I know I'm facing a great champion, but I have the desire, hunger and the ability to take the belt to Mexico. Like all Mexican boxers, I will die in the ring if possible, but I will become the new champiopn on Saturday," said Marquez.
Bernabe Concepcion said that Manny Pacquiao has been talking to the Filipino challenger to give him advice ahead of his fight with HJuan and plans to spoil Juanma's planned fight in September in Las Vegas, Nevada with Rafael Marquez.
"But if Manny Pacquiao steps into the ring, I will get Tito Trinidad in there and now we're even," said Juanma.
"As the fighters, Filipinos, like Mexicans, are also brave and I have respect for Concepcion, but will resolve the matter in the ring. He throws punches from all angles with a style like Pacquiao, but Concepcion is not Pacquiao" said Juanma
