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NEW YORK - Every second of the match should have been an eternity for Juan Manuel Lopez.
The American, super bantamweight king World Boxing Organization (WBO) expected to easily defeat Rogers Mtagwa on Saturday night to continue his ascent to the upper echelons of boxing.
But it did not.
After taking a big lead in the points at the start of the war, Lee had suddenly seek survival, compared to hard pressed Tanzanian boxer. The last three rounds went by so slowly for "Juanma" who tried to cast glances at the clock, as if wishing it was over faster.
His legs wobbled and her face swelled up to the relentless attack of Mtagwa.
"Many people think I'm Superman, but I also hurt me, like everyone," said Lopez, who won a unanimous decision. "I guess that question is answered when something happens in the ring. But today I showed I'm well tough.
Yes, but the battle left more questions than answers.
Lee had an impressive record since he knocked out Daniel Ponce de Leon in the first assault to win the title less than two years ago. Named fighter of the year 2008 in Puerto Rico, the monarch did not have to fight all 12 rounds over three years.
And thanks to his spectacular style and his winning personality, Top Rank had promised major projects.
The plan was for Lee (27-0, 24 KOs) making another title defense at 122 pounds at the beginning of next year, perhaps in pursuit of the title of the Panamanian Celestino Caballero, before climbing class for a guarded prognosis fight Yuriokis with Cuban Gamboa, knockout artist.
Top Rank chief Bob Arum, believes that this fight is feasible, although it remained screaming at the side of the ring, while Lee tried to resist the onslaught of Mtagwa.
Mtagwa "remained there, was not discouraged and eventually got into trouble Juanma, so you have to give all the credit," Arum said. "But Juanma not have to do everything so difficult."
Knight has called the fight against Lopez for weeks, but both sides are far from a monetary agreement, which means that Lee could immediately split up to go by the monarchs of the pen, Steven Luevano and the Dominican Elio Rojas. Either way, Lopez is expected to fight again on 23 January.
"Knight has been very difficult, people are greatly complicating things for the money he wants for the fight," Arum said. "We have offered $ 150,000 and if you do not want, or talk. I have no problem, he may be worth more. "
For Gamboa, Panama Whyber who beat Garcia in the fourth assault, the same Saturday, Arum expected to face Lopez in June, perhaps on the eve of Day parade in Puerto Rico, a date which had traditionally included fights Lopez's countryman, Miguel Cotto.
The former Cuban Olympic champion who defected a few years ago, won a landslide victory.
Gamboa (16-0 with 14 knockouts) believes he should have occupied the top of the billboard in the function, instead of Lopez, noting that was a great amateur record and has followed a rapid rise since joining the professionalism.
"I want to show that I am the best in the world," said Gamboa, when asked about the possibility of facing Lee. "I'll fight anyone who thinks it's better than me."
Gamboa is jointly promoted by Top Rank and the German Arena Box, which hired him after he defected along with his fellow Berthelemy Odlanier Solis and Yan. That means a fight against Lopez would be easy to agree.
"There have been discussions on Juan Manuel Lopez fight," said Ahmet Oner, CEO of Arena Box. "Why not? Accept it. "
Solis (15-0 with 11 knockouts) appeared also in the role on Saturday and quickly disposed of Monte Barrett, a former contender for the heavyweight title, knocking him out in the second inning.
Arum said he was optimistic about amateur triple world champion and Olympic gold in Athens 2004.
"I am ready to face it with anyone," said Arum, who for years there has been very interested in the top flight.
"I'm back in the business of the heavy," he said.
NEW YORK - Every second of the match should have been an eternity for Juan Manuel Lopez.
The American, super bantamweight king World Boxing Organization (WBO) expected to easily defeat Rogers Mtagwa on Saturday night to continue his ascent to the upper echelons of boxing.
But it did not.
After taking a big lead in the points at the start of the war, Lee had suddenly seek survival, compared to hard pressed Tanzanian boxer. The last three rounds went by so slowly for "Juanma" who tried to cast glances at the clock, as if wishing it was over faster.
His legs wobbled and her face swelled up to the relentless attack of Mtagwa.
"Many people think I'm Superman, but I also hurt me, like everyone," said Lopez, who won a unanimous decision. "I guess that question is answered when something happens in the ring. But today I showed I'm well tough.
Yes, but the battle left more questions than answers.
Lee had an impressive record since he knocked out Daniel Ponce de Leon in the first assault to win the title less than two years ago. Named fighter of the year 2008 in Puerto Rico, the monarch did not have to fight all 12 rounds over three years.
And thanks to his spectacular style and his winning personality, Top Rank had promised major projects.
The plan was for Lee (27-0, 24 KOs) making another title defense at 122 pounds at the beginning of next year, perhaps in pursuit of the title of the Panamanian Celestino Caballero, before climbing class for a guarded prognosis fight Yuriokis with Cuban Gamboa, knockout artist.
Top Rank chief Bob Arum, believes that this fight is feasible, although it remained screaming at the side of the ring, while Lee tried to resist the onslaught of Mtagwa.
Mtagwa "remained there, was not discouraged and eventually got into trouble Juanma, so you have to give all the credit," Arum said. "But Juanma not have to do everything so difficult."
Knight has called the fight against Lopez for weeks, but both sides are far from a monetary agreement, which means that Lee could immediately split up to go by the monarchs of the pen, Steven Luevano and the Dominican Elio Rojas. Either way, Lopez is expected to fight again on 23 January.
"Knight has been very difficult, people are greatly complicating things for the money he wants for the fight," Arum said. "We have offered $ 150,000 and if you do not want, or talk. I have no problem, he may be worth more. "
For Gamboa, Panama Whyber who beat Garcia in the fourth assault, the same Saturday, Arum expected to face Lopez in June, perhaps on the eve of Day parade in Puerto Rico, a date which had traditionally included fights Lopez's countryman, Miguel Cotto.
The former Cuban Olympic champion who defected a few years ago, won a landslide victory.
Gamboa (16-0 with 14 knockouts) believes he should have occupied the top of the billboard in the function, instead of Lopez, noting that was a great amateur record and has followed a rapid rise since joining the professionalism.
"I want to show that I am the best in the world," said Gamboa, when asked about the possibility of facing Lee. "I'll fight anyone who thinks it's better than me."
Gamboa is jointly promoted by Top Rank and the German Arena Box, which hired him after he defected along with his fellow Berthelemy Odlanier Solis and Yan. That means a fight against Lopez would be easy to agree.
"There have been discussions on Juan Manuel Lopez fight," said Ahmet Oner, CEO of Arena Box. "Why not? Accept it. "
Solis (15-0 with 11 knockouts) appeared also in the role on Saturday and quickly disposed of Monte Barrett, a former contender for the heavyweight title, knocking him out in the second inning.
Arum said he was optimistic about amateur triple world champion and Olympic gold in Athens 2004.
"I am ready to face it with anyone," said Arum, who for years there has been very interested in the top flight.
"I'm back in the business of the heavy," he said.
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