By Rey Colon
Former two-division world champion Juan Manuel Lopez is putting in a lot of work as he prepares for his scheduled return on February 2 against Brazilian Santos Silva Aldimar in Bayamón. Juanma is hungry to prove that he isn't finished after getting knocked out in two of his last three fights by Mexico's Orlando Salido. The upcoming fight is set for 128-pounds. Afterwards Juanma will make a decision on whether or not he plans to go back to 126 or move up to 130.
"We are training very well with Alex Caraballo and Freddy Trinidad. The fight is at 128 or 129 and we are lowering the weight nicely. Then we'll determine if I stay at 126 or at 130. That will be known on February 2. I have more hunger and desire and I want to show people as well as the whole world that I am not finish. They do not look at the fact that I've fought 33 times and won 31 of them. When you lose, they put you down and want to use you as a doormat. But soon we will get up and show the world that it was no accident [that I won those fights]. I was a great champion and I will be so again," he added.
After February, Juanma plans to return in April or May, possibly on HBO.
"HBO is very interested and they will be there watching [my next fight]. We hope to fight in April or May if HBO gives us a date. The plan is to make three or four fights this year and then we'll look for a world title at either 126 or 130. We have to wait for January 19 to see what happens between Salido and Mikey Garcia and Rocky Martinez's fight against Juan Carlos Burgos. He have to see if Nonito Donaire will move up to 126. There are many options for us with quality fights," Juanma said.
