By Jhonny Gonzalez
WBO featherweight champion Juan Manuel Lopez takes a look at the new rivalry in boxing, Puerto Rico vs Philippines. For many years Puerto Rico has had a very strong rivalry with Mexico. Times have changed.
Most local fans in Puerto Rico says the rivalry began on April 25, 2009, when Juanma punished Gerry Penalosa for ten rounds. The rivalry reached new heights when the biggest stars of each country, Manny Pacquiao and Miguel Cotto, went to war last November with Pacquiao winning by TKO in the twelfth round.
This Saturday another chapter will be written in the rivalry with Juanma defending against Bernabe Concepcion and Jonathan Oquendo fighting Eden Sonsona. On August 28, Ivan Calderon will defend his junior flyweight title against Filipino Johnriel Casimero. Juanma says Puerto Rico is in the lead when counting up the victories.
"Because Filipinos and Puerto Ricans have more or less the same physique, and weigh more or less the same, that is why this rivalry has being created," said Juanma to El Nuevo Dia. "But Puerto Rico is up front in the (rivalry) with the Philippines and with Mexico also. And we are going to keep it that way."
Concepcion agrees with Juanma on the new rivalry in boxing.
“Most of the time is was Mexico versus Philippines and now it is starting to be the Philippines vs. Puerto Rico. I feel good about being part of that. Let's see what happens in the future," Concepcion said.
Oquendo agrees that Manny Pacquiao might be the king, but not every fighter from the Philippines comes close to the level of a Pacquiao.
"Filipinos are good, excellent boxers, but not everyone is Manny Pacquiao," Oquendo said.
