Can Josesito Lopez Give Canelo A Fight? Rumblings Suggest Alvarez-Lopez Is On For Sept. 15th
By James Slater - Various boxing web sites are talking about “upset king” Josesito Lopez facing Mexican star Saul Canelo Alvarez on September 15th (the fight, for Canelo’s WBC light-middleweight title, is up as happening on Boxrec.com) and with Alvarez’ well-publicised problems in finding an opponent for his Las Vegas bout, maybe it will indeed be the Riverside warrior who lands (or has already landed) the fight?
First it was Paul Williams for Alvarez, but Paul tragically suffered terrible injuries from a bike crash, then it was James Kirkland, but “The Mandingo Warrior’s” troublesome shoulder injury had not sufficiently healed, ruling him out - then it was Victor Ortiz, and Canelo’s search was over; for a while. Step in 27-year-old Lopez, and the script was torn up again.
Lopez, 30-4(18) rose to the occasion as some late replacement in his June 23rd fight with Ortiz, out-toughing him, busting his jaw in more than one place and ultimately forcing him to remain on his stool after the completion of the 9th-round of a thoroughly entertaining battle.. The good news didn’t stop there for the hardworking Lopez - a fighter who began his pro career down at lightweight - as the powerful Al Haymon then signed Josesito to his stable of big names. Now it looks as though Lopez will be rewarded with another “chance of a lifetime;” this one against the unbeaten, would-be megastar and “next Oscar De La Hoya,” Alvarez.
Information is still coming out, but whispers suggest the Sept. 15th fight will be fought at a catch-weight (surely Lopez cannot go up and compete at a full 154?), with Canelo’s belt on the line. The question is, if the fight comes off, can lightening possibly strike twice: can Lopez ruin all the lofty plans of yet another big star/betting favourite? Not too many people were willing to give Lopez much of a chance heading into the fight with “Vicious” Victor, yet after a bumpy start, Lopez grew in confidence and proved to be Ortiz’ worst nightmare.
If the fight with Canelo does happen at a catch-weight, one that would allow Lopez a fighting chance (say 150-pounds max), the Californian trained by the underrated Henry Ramirez would have to be given at least an outside chance. Fighters underestimate this guy at their peril, and style-wise, Lopez could be a fighter capable of giving the still-improving Canelo a tough time - if he’s not out-weighed by something as ridiculous as 15 to 20-pounds or so come fight night.
Never stopped in his nine-and-a-half year pro career, Lopez would run the risk of losing that KOby-free distinction if he did fight Alvarez. But taking risks and making them pay off is what Lopez does best. Just ask Victor Ortiz!
One thing though: promoter De La Hoya promised that Canelo’s Sept. 15th fight would be “history.” If it is Lopez in a couple of months, I fail to see what will be historic about the fight.
By James Slater - Various boxing web sites are talking about “upset king” Josesito Lopez facing Mexican star Saul Canelo Alvarez on September 15th (the fight, for Canelo’s WBC light-middleweight title, is up as happening on Boxrec.com) and with Alvarez’ well-publicised problems in finding an opponent for his Las Vegas bout, maybe it will indeed be the Riverside warrior who lands (or has already landed) the fight?
First it was Paul Williams for Alvarez, but Paul tragically suffered terrible injuries from a bike crash, then it was James Kirkland, but “The Mandingo Warrior’s” troublesome shoulder injury had not sufficiently healed, ruling him out - then it was Victor Ortiz, and Canelo’s search was over; for a while. Step in 27-year-old Lopez, and the script was torn up again.
Lopez, 30-4(18) rose to the occasion as some late replacement in his June 23rd fight with Ortiz, out-toughing him, busting his jaw in more than one place and ultimately forcing him to remain on his stool after the completion of the 9th-round of a thoroughly entertaining battle.. The good news didn’t stop there for the hardworking Lopez - a fighter who began his pro career down at lightweight - as the powerful Al Haymon then signed Josesito to his stable of big names. Now it looks as though Lopez will be rewarded with another “chance of a lifetime;” this one against the unbeaten, would-be megastar and “next Oscar De La Hoya,” Alvarez.
Information is still coming out, but whispers suggest the Sept. 15th fight will be fought at a catch-weight (surely Lopez cannot go up and compete at a full 154?), with Canelo’s belt on the line. The question is, if the fight comes off, can lightening possibly strike twice: can Lopez ruin all the lofty plans of yet another big star/betting favourite? Not too many people were willing to give Lopez much of a chance heading into the fight with “Vicious” Victor, yet after a bumpy start, Lopez grew in confidence and proved to be Ortiz’ worst nightmare.
If the fight with Canelo does happen at a catch-weight, one that would allow Lopez a fighting chance (say 150-pounds max), the Californian trained by the underrated Henry Ramirez would have to be given at least an outside chance. Fighters underestimate this guy at their peril, and style-wise, Lopez could be a fighter capable of giving the still-improving Canelo a tough time - if he’s not out-weighed by something as ridiculous as 15 to 20-pounds or so come fight night.
Never stopped in his nine-and-a-half year pro career, Lopez would run the risk of losing that KOby-free distinction if he did fight Alvarez. But taking risks and making them pay off is what Lopez does best. Just ask Victor Ortiz!
One thing though: promoter De La Hoya promised that Canelo’s Sept. 15th fight would be “history.” If it is Lopez in a couple of months, I fail to see what will be historic about the fight.
