According to Orlando Pineiro, trainer of WBO super bantamweight champ Juan Manuel Lopez (22-0, 20KOs), the unbeaten Puerto Rican champion may possibly land on the undercard to Oscar De La Hoya vs. Manny Pacquiao on December 6 at the MGM Grand in Las Vegas. Pineiro says that Juanma Cesar Figueroa on October 4, two possible opponents for December 6 are Bernabe Concepcion and Rey “Boom Boom” Bautista, who is scheduled to see action on the card.
Pineiro says the event would be a great platform to market his fighter. He says that Miguel Cotto’s knockout loss to Antonio Margarito has created more room for his fighter, a budding Puerto Rican star, to grow.
“We expect to finish of the year on a large event like that,” Pineiro said to Primera Hora. “To be on a card like that would be excellent for Juanma in economic terms and exposure. The unexpected loss by Miguel Cotto changed the landscape of boxing completely. It creates a little more force so that the Junama-Mania can continue growing.”
“The career of Juanma is a serious thing. If it turns out well of the fight against Figueroa – as we all expect- there is a commitment to fight again in December. I like the two [Concepcion and Bautista]. They are two good names, but if there is a possibility a rematch with Daniel Ponce De Leon, we might consider it. This is a business and we are going to do what’s best for the career of Juanma. We are willing to fight against anyone. We will see if there is somone brave enough to accept.”
