lpinoy
11-02-2010, 01:56 AM
By;examiner
We are less than a week away from the potentially explosive encounter between WBO featherweight champion Juan Manuel Lopez and two division champion Rafael Marquez. Taking place this Saturday night at the MGM Grand in Las Vegas, the contest pits two of the most technically skilled and explosive featherweights on the planet against one another.
Earlier today each man participated in an open media workout at the Fortune Boxing Club in Los Angeles, the same facility that hosted Antonio Margarito’s media festivities last week. Both Lopez and Marquez look to be in outstanding shape and their fight figures to be one that will leave the loser with no room for excuses.
Lopez is a 4 to 1 favorite to win the contest because of his success as a champion in the junior featherweight division as well as his advantage in youth, as the Rio Piedras, Puerto Rico native is only 27 years of age to Marquez’ 35. Lopez is coming off of a thrilling second round TKO over brave challenger Bernabe Concepcion in July, a contest in which he had to recover from a late first round knockdown before polishing off his Filipino foe one stanza later.
Marquez is widely respected for his undeniable skills and proven heart. His first three fights with foil Israel Vazquez are the stuff of legends and he has claimed that his fight with Lopez is the biggest of his career. Several times in the sport of boxing we have seen discounted veterans who often produce memorable performances when their backs are to the wall and that very well could be the case with Marquez.
As for Lopez, he will likely be eyeing a 2011 meeting with WBA champion Yuriorkis Gamboa if successful. The Cuban standout has been linked to Lopez for the past few years and it has been a contest that Top Rank has been marinating. Gamboa scored a victory over Orlando Salido a few months back at the Palms Casino in Las Vegas and Lopez was in town to show his support. It goes without saying that Lopez vs. Marquez will have huge implications in the featherweight class.
We are less than a week away from the potentially explosive encounter between WBO featherweight champion Juan Manuel Lopez and two division champion Rafael Marquez. Taking place this Saturday night at the MGM Grand in Las Vegas, the contest pits two of the most technically skilled and explosive featherweights on the planet against one another.
Earlier today each man participated in an open media workout at the Fortune Boxing Club in Los Angeles, the same facility that hosted Antonio Margarito’s media festivities last week. Both Lopez and Marquez look to be in outstanding shape and their fight figures to be one that will leave the loser with no room for excuses.
Lopez is a 4 to 1 favorite to win the contest because of his success as a champion in the junior featherweight division as well as his advantage in youth, as the Rio Piedras, Puerto Rico native is only 27 years of age to Marquez’ 35. Lopez is coming off of a thrilling second round TKO over brave challenger Bernabe Concepcion in July, a contest in which he had to recover from a late first round knockdown before polishing off his Filipino foe one stanza later.
Marquez is widely respected for his undeniable skills and proven heart. His first three fights with foil Israel Vazquez are the stuff of legends and he has claimed that his fight with Lopez is the biggest of his career. Several times in the sport of boxing we have seen discounted veterans who often produce memorable performances when their backs are to the wall and that very well could be the case with Marquez.
As for Lopez, he will likely be eyeing a 2011 meeting with WBA champion Yuriorkis Gamboa if successful. The Cuban standout has been linked to Lopez for the past few years and it has been a contest that Top Rank has been marinating. Gamboa scored a victory over Orlando Salido a few months back at the Palms Casino in Las Vegas and Lopez was in town to show his support. It goes without saying that Lopez vs. Marquez will have huge implications in the featherweight class.