While Juan Manuel Lopez was the clear favorite to successfully defend his belt against Rafael Marquez this past weekend in Las Vegas, the fight didn?t come without its share of scares. After a solid start, Lopez found himself in trouble in the 4th as he was rocked repeatedly by heavy blows from the Mexico City fighter before surviving the round and seizing control of the fight. Lopez dominated from round six on as Marquez would opt not to continue following the 8th, granting the Rio Piedras, Puerto Rico technician his 30th with as a pro.
At the post fight press conference inside of the media room in the MGM Grand Garden Arena, Marquez? promoter Gary Shaw commended Lopez. He noted that Marquez suffered an injury to his shoulder midway through the bout that prevented him from fighting to his best abilities. Shaw said that given Marquez? pedigree and the success he had early against Lopez, that a rematch would be ideal.
<--- Slideshow: Images of Juan Manuel Lopez and Yuriorkis Gamboa
Speaking on Lopez? future, Top Rank promoter Bob Arum told the assembled press that he was going to follow the pattern of Lopez? countryman Miguel Cotton by taking the WBO featherweight champion back to the island of Puerto Rico for his next fight. After that Arum will likely eye a potentially epic clash with WBA king Yuriorkis Gamboa in June, likely at Madison Square Garden around the time of the Puerto Rican Day Parade.
Moments later Lopez would enter the ballroom to a loud ovation of cheers and approval. Fastly establishing himself as one of the game?s most complete champions, it would seem that if Lopez continues to win he could soon cross the very rare superstar threshold bestowed upon the finest of talents. Despite gassing out in the late rounds against journeyman Rogers Mtagwa last year and being dropped hard by Bernabe Concepcion in July, Lopez insisted that he showed a chin that was up to par after absorbing serious leather from Marquez early in the bout.
?Without a doubt,? Lopez claimed. ?I fought the best puncher in the division and he couldn?t knock me down.?
As for his immediate future, Lopez revealed that he talked to his 35-year old counterpart after the fight and despite congratulating him on the victory, Marquez feels the win was tainted. Lopez isn?t totally opposed to doing it again but it depends what Arum thinks is best.
?He asked for the rematch in the ring,? Lopez said. ?He [said he] was hurt, he could have done better. If that?s what they want, if that?s what Bob wants and what my management wants, I?d be happy to give him a rematch.?
In town to show support to Lopez were two of his country?s greatest champions, Felix ?Tito? Trinidad and Wilfredo ?Bazooka? Gomez. Lopez said that it was Gomez who told him to show some bark while in the ring and implored him to verbally chide Marquez amidst the heat of their battle.
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?I?ve never done that before, I was talking to him,? Lopez said of his newfound trash talking ability.
A Mexican reporter in the building would later tell Lopez that he didn?t see any kind of greatness in him and that he wasn?t able to knock Marquez out. While those in attendance were taken back by the words, Lopez offered up a resounding rebuttal.
?Maybe I didn?t knock him out, but I sure took his heart out,? Lopez implored. ?He was a great fighter but he should have shown me more.?
Now the countdown begins to Lopez-Gamboa, a fascinating matchup that would see Lopez? bevy of skills being tested by the sheer speed and raw talent of the Cuban upstart. It?s a fight that has been speculated for a few years now and Lopez fully realizes how much it would mean to his eventual ascent towards greatness.
?Tonight I join the elite in this division and I would like to fight the best. The best are Gamboa and me. But I?m the best 126 pounder in the world, not Gamboa.?
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