"No fight is easy"
Sounds of defending his title on June 27 in Atlantic City
By Luis Santiago Arce / larce@elnuevodia.com
The time would not be enough to make one of the great fights that wish, but Juan Manuel "Juanma" Lopez is completely available for ring return at the next June 27 in Atlantic City. In fact, he has already begun to prepare.
"It still is not sure, but there is a 95% chance the fight will be made," said Lopez, who hinted last week that he already knew about the new plans.
"Since Thursday we had talked about this idea and we feel great. We are willing to make it because it is a great opportunity, "Lopez said yesterday in El Nuevo Día, after completing the first training session in the Municipal Gym Jose" Cheo "Aponte of Caguas.
The unbeaten World Boxing Organization (WBO) revealed that he has already begun training a week in advance, having resumed his training last week, being that he's taking a week off due to a family vacation trip to Disney in Orlando, Florida from May 18 to the 24th.
"There is no concern, and we know that we will be well prepared to fight," he added.
In his opinion, five weeks of preparation would be sufficient to combat the proposed vacant space left by Kelly Pavlik, suffering an infection in a hand that caused the postponement of their scheduled clash with Sergio Mora.
On that board, also a Puerto Rican, Eric Morel, will go against Aztec Fernando Montiel for the WBO Bantamweight title.
Lopez, with 23 knockouts among his 25 victories, is coming from his win in nine rounds over former WBO Bantamweight champion filipino Gerry Penalosa, and has commented publicly that his desire is to make a mega fight with Mexicans Rafael Marquez and Israel Vazquez, and the Panamanian Celestino Caballero, but that option seems to have to wait.
Vazquez and Caballero intend to immediately ascend in weight, and Marquez has a schedule fight for May 23 in Monterrey against the Colombian Jose Francisco Mendoza, but said he would be willing to fight the Puerto Rican at the end of year.
"To mount a big fight so quickly, with so little time, it is impossible, even though I was thinking to make a transient fight in July to go after Marquez in September. The important thing now is to stay active and make some money "stressed the 25 year old Lopez.
He reiterated that, at this time it is only necessary to achieve a satisfactory financial agreement according to the opponent that is announced for the upcoming battle, including any changes in regards to 'pay per view' sales.
The options include the Mexican Antonio Escalante, the former champion Steve Molitor and Canadian Oliver Lontchi.
"No fight is easy. Escalante hits very hard and is very aggressive. Molitor is a former champion and Lontchi is a very good fighter. We must prepare well for anyone, "concluded the Juncos born Lopez that is now based in Caguas.
Cotto-atmosphere for Pacquiao
According to press reports compiled by boxingscene.com, the principal adviser to Manny Pacquiao in the Philippines, Wake Salud, accepted the idea of the promoter Bob Arum for a possible future confrontation with the Puerto Rican Miguel Cotto.
But everything is subject to Cotto upheld in his fight next June 13 in New York against Joshua Clottey.
According to Salud, Pacquiao has better chance beating Cotto, and then enter the political race for a seat in the Philippines and then move the anticipated clash against Floyd Mayweather, Jr..