By Rey Colon

Former two-division world champion Juan Manuel Lopez appeared at a hearing that scheduled by the Puerto Rico Boxing Commission. Lopez met with hearing officer Alberto Arroyo, where the boxer apologized and once again apologized to referee Roberto Ramirez Sr. and his son, who shares the same name.

Following his ten round TKO loss to Orlando Salido earlier this month in San Juan, he alleged during a live television interview that Ramirez Sr. was a gambler, pointing to the referee's habit as being the influence to stop the fight.

Because of the comments, the Puerto Rico Boxing Commission is threatening to suspend Juanma for a year. Right now he is under a temporary suspension until a final decision is made in the next few days. Juanma has told the press that a year long suspension will likely force him to retire.

"This is my way of life, my work. I was sincere [at the hearing]. I have no evidence. I told the truth and I apologized and apologized to Ramirez. I am a representative of the flag of Puerto Rico and I apologize to the country. I already had some [medical] tests and we are going to do more. We are waiting for my doctor Guillermo Campos in order to undergo a minor knee surgery in about two weeks and I will have other tests including an MRI. I feel great and have to wait on what the doctor says, and the Commission. Of course, we will rest for a while before returning to boxing," Lopez said.

It was learned that Lopez agreed to sign a document that acknowledges there is no evidence that Ramirez is a gambler, and he agreed to record a video apologizing to the referee and place the material on social networking sites, including YouTube and Showtime. He also agreed to write a letter to the various agencies that govern the world of boxing.