In a long-line list of Puerto Rican world champions with the likes of Wilfredo Benitez and Tito Trinidad, the name Juan Manuel Lopez, also known as ?JuanMa? has now began to catch the spotlight not just in Puerto Rico, but to some parts of the world. The greater impact of his power-display and superb boxing skills left boxing in awe when he toppled the once-feared Mexican Bantamweight Daniel Ponce De Leon (34-1-30 KOs). Like a powerful tornado, he disposed Ponce in a glimpse of a shocking one round bout. The seemingly arrogant and over-confident De Leon was shut up and shut down when the referee came to halt the fight and save him from further damage.
Mexicans who witnessed the fight were left sitting in disbelief. They could not imagine how their roaring Mexican lion was humbled by a less known, Puerto Rican fighter. The hope of the Mexicans ?next great? was perhaps shattered. The same sentiments that radiated from the feelings of the Filipinos whose hearts were ripped into pieces when they witnessed how their undefeated Pinoy prospect, Rey ?Boom-Boom? Bautista knelt down before Ponce de Leon in 2007. Probably, for Bautista?s fans, the humiliation of de Leon by Juan Ma could be a sort of retribution, but for the Mexicans, it was a great upset and loss of another golden prospect.
Recently, the hearts of the Filipinos were again torn apart when they witnessed a similar fate suffered by another well loved, top prospect boxing hero, Bernabe ?Abe? Concepcion last July. Though ?Abe? was able to register a one-punch knockdown that countered the brutal onslaught of Juan Manuel Lopez , it was not enough to tame the great Juan Ma?s resilient attack that beat him into submission to keep a hold of his WBO Featherweight belt. Like Bautista, Concepcion was billed as the ?Next Manny Pacquiao.? But again and again, Juan Ma simply displayed his exceptional talent over the top opponents brought in front of him. And it cannot be denied, his fearsome and superior performance makes him today?s great force in boxing to reckon with..
So, where will he go next? And how far can he go?
Today, he is pitted against the durable two time world champ, Rafael Marquez (44-5-36 KOs) who is fresh from a fourth grudge-match victory over a long-time rival, Israel Vasquez. The WBO Featherweight Championship is scheduled for September 18th at MGM Grand Garden Arena in Las Vegas. In this fight, Rafael Marquez attempts to snatch a third world title for his country which co sides with the celebrated weekend of Independence in Mexico. It is expected to be an explosive match. In consideration to the 90% knock-out rate between the two fighters it definitely has the potential to be a candidate for Fight of the Year.
Can the Puerto Rican monster rip the pride and hearts of the Mexicans again? Should he get passed Rafael Marquez, will he pursue to fight Rafael?s boxing icon brother, Juan Manuel Marquez at a higher weight division? How far can he survive to fight up to 140lbs against Bradley or Khan? Is the Puerto Rican beast destined to meet Manny Pacquiao in a defining battle?
Indeed, boxing fans around the world are so excited to see more action-packed fights from this Puerto Rican rising star. They really want to know how far can he able to sustain and carry his power even to a different higher weight divisions. How long can his boxing career shine in the future? How many belts can he possibly capture? And how many more great opponents can he topple? Yet, with all of these queries, the best question still remains: Will Juan Manuel Lopez become one of the All-Time Greats?
Ask the die-hard Puerto Rican fans… certainly, they will answer you without any hesitation – ?Yes, JuanMa can!?
