One of boxing?s longest and most heated rivalries has been between Mexican and Puerto Rican boxers. From Salvador Sanchez vs. Wilfredo Gomez, to Julio Cesar Chavez vs. Hector Camacho, Oscar De La Hoya vs. Felix Trinidad, and Miguel Cotto vs. Antonio Margarito, Mexicans and Puerto Ricans have given fight fans great, passionate battles throughout the years. November 6, 2010 should go down as another big battle in the long-standing war between Mexico and Puerto Rico, as Juan Manuel ?Juanma? Lopez (29-0, 26 KO) defends his WBO featherweight title against Mexican legend Rafael ?Dinamita? Marquez (39-5, 35 KO).
Juan Manuel Lopez is one of the bright young stars in boxing. His rare blend of speed and power helps put fans in the seats, while his heart and determination in the ring get the fans up out of their seats. Lopez?s fights are always entertaining, whether he is pounding his opponent into submission, or digging down deep to pull out a twelve-round decision. He was worked his way to the point he is at now, and he has done so by rising to meet every challenge placed before him.
Lopez was a highly-regarded prospect when he stepped up to face WBO jr. featherweight champion Daniel Ponce De Leon in June, 2008. Lopez was given a realistic chance to beat Ponce De Leon, but no one expected him to destroy the veteran Mexican warrior in less than one round, as was the case. Lopez?s quick destruction of Ponce De Leon put him front and center in the group of young prospects waiting to walk through the door to boxing?s grandest stage.
Rafael Marquez has been synonymous with great fights for over a decade. Marquez, a long-time bantamweight champion, already had big wins over Tim Austin and Silence Mabuza (twice) before his four fight saga with future Hall-of-Famer Israel Vazquez. Marquez cemented his place in boxing history in the first three fights with Vazquez, winning the first when Vazquez could not continue due to a badly broken nose. Marquez lost the next two fights, one by TKO in the sixth round, and one by a razor-thin split decision that swayed on the impact of a twelfth-round knockdown.
Rafael Marquez has nothing left to prove in the sport of boxing. His place in history is firmly-secured, and his legacy will surely allow him to enter the Hall of Fa
