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Juanma: "I Want Caballero, Top Rank Has Other Plans"
By Mark Vester
WBO super bantamweight champion Juan Manuel Lopez arrived back in Puerto Rico; returning from the toughest win of his career. Lopez won a much tougher than expected decision over veteran Rogers Mtagwa on Saturday night at the WaMu Theater in Madison Square Garden. For the last year, there has been a slow build-up for a unification bout with WBA/IBF champion Celestino Caballero. Every indication had the fight taking place on January 23 in Puerto Rico with HBO televising.
Top Rank's Bob Arum, on the live pay-per-view broadcast, said the next fight for Juanma would be a title fight at featherweight, against Steven Luevano or Elio Rojas. Caballero was at ringside with his adviser, stunned at the announcement. Arum claimed that Caballero's team turned down an offer of $150,000 - but Caballero's promoter Leon Margules told BoxingScene.com that an offer for a Juanma fight was never presented.
Upon his arrival, Lopez told Primera Hora that he wants a fight with Caballero but his promoters, Top Rank, have other plans for him - and Caballero is not in those plans.
"I want to fight with Celestino for all of the trash talking, but my promoters have other plans. If I can't get Celestino now, maybe another time," Lopez said.
He is not sure if a January 23 return is even possible yet. The cut he suffered in the Mtagwa fight required 20 stitches and he will need to consult with a doctor to get an idea of the time that his injury needs to heal.
"I have 20 stitches on my face," said Lopez. "Depending on what the doctor says we'll know how fast I can fight again. I feel good physically, though a little sore."
As far as his win over Mtagwa, Juanma says he was very hurt in the final rounds. He was hurt enough that his own corner, prior to the twelfth and final round, asked him if he was able to go another round. Juanma told BoxingScene.com that he was very hurt at the end of the eleventh round and never fully recovered.
"I am sincere. I closed the fight very bad but I showed my audience that I can get over difficult situations. A win is a win. I continue on with my undefeated record and with my championship," said Lopez. "The important thing is that I could finish the fight."
Juanma: "I Want Caballero, Top Rank Has Other Plans"
By Mark Vester
WBO super bantamweight champion Juan Manuel Lopez arrived back in Puerto Rico; returning from the toughest win of his career. Lopez won a much tougher than expected decision over veteran Rogers Mtagwa on Saturday night at the WaMu Theater in Madison Square Garden. For the last year, there has been a slow build-up for a unification bout with WBA/IBF champion Celestino Caballero. Every indication had the fight taking place on January 23 in Puerto Rico with HBO televising.
Top Rank's Bob Arum, on the live pay-per-view broadcast, said the next fight for Juanma would be a title fight at featherweight, against Steven Luevano or Elio Rojas. Caballero was at ringside with his adviser, stunned at the announcement. Arum claimed that Caballero's team turned down an offer of $150,000 - but Caballero's promoter Leon Margules told BoxingScene.com that an offer for a Juanma fight was never presented.
Upon his arrival, Lopez told Primera Hora that he wants a fight with Caballero but his promoters, Top Rank, have other plans for him - and Caballero is not in those plans.
"I want to fight with Celestino for all of the trash talking, but my promoters have other plans. If I can't get Celestino now, maybe another time," Lopez said.
He is not sure if a January 23 return is even possible yet. The cut he suffered in the Mtagwa fight required 20 stitches and he will need to consult with a doctor to get an idea of the time that his injury needs to heal.
"I have 20 stitches on my face," said Lopez. "Depending on what the doctor says we'll know how fast I can fight again. I feel good physically, though a little sore."
As far as his win over Mtagwa, Juanma says he was very hurt in the final rounds. He was hurt enough that his own corner, prior to the twelfth and final round, asked him if he was able to go another round. Juanma told BoxingScene.com that he was very hurt at the end of the eleventh round and never fully recovered.
"I am sincere. I closed the fight very bad but I showed my audience that I can get over difficult situations. A win is a win. I continue on with my undefeated record and with my championship," said Lopez. "The important thing is that I could finish the fight."