While entertaining the collected Los Angeles boxing media at the downtown Milennium Biltmore Hotel Puerto Rican World Boxing Organization featherweight titlist Juan Manuel Lopez made a very bold prediction for his September 18, 2010 battle with veteran Mexican Rafael Marquez.
Before taking the podium, veteran Mexican promoter Fernando Beltran compared Lopez – Marquez to the 1992 fight between another Puerto Rican and Mexican pair – Hector Camacho?s defeat at the hands of legendary Julio Cesar Chavez Junior.
Lopez felt his battle was closer to the another episode in the Mexican – Puerto Rican boxing rivalry, Felix Trinidad?s controversial decision win against Oscar De La Hoya.
?The difference is that Tito Trinidad won by decision,? said Lopez. ?I am going to win by knock-out.?
Marquez (39-5, 25 KOs) has been knocked-out in four of his five defeats, but brings excellent punching power into the ring with a knock-out to victory percentage of 79 percent.
Lopez (29-0, 26 KOs) is no feather-fisted fighter either, with a knock-out percentage of 89 percent.
The bout will take place on Mexican Independance day at the MGM Grand at Las Vegas, Nevada. The action will be carried by Showtime and tickets go on sale August 2 at www.ticketmaster.com.
