Gamer
11-19-2010, 10:43 PM
c/p By Ryan Burton
WBO featherweight champion Juan "Juanma" Lopez spoke to BoxingScene.com about his recent win over two division champion Rafael Marquez. The Puerto Rican sensation talks about the possibility of a clash with Marquez's big brother Juan Manuel over Mexican Independence Day weekend in September. Juanma also talks about his nemesis Celestino Caballero, Yuriorkis Gamboa and more in this exclusive interview.
BoxingScene.com: First off congrats again on your big win over Rafael Marquez. How did the fans react when you arrived back in Puerto Rico at the airport?
Juanma Lopez: It was very nice. They treated me very well. They were very gracious when I arrived back to the airport. I feel like I definitely am at a higher level now, especially in the fans eyes. They were very enthusiastic and it made me feel good to see that.
BoxingScene.com: This was your first fight versus a Mexican fighter on a big stage. How did it feel to be part of such a storied rivalry?
Juanma Lopez: It was bigger than I even thought. The Mexican fans were very passionate and I could see how big it was to them and the Puerto Rican fans as well. It was very exciting and I was glad I was able to get the win. I really enjoyed the whole experience.
BoxingScene.com: In the press conference after the fight you said that you wanted a rematch with Rafael Marquez or a fight with WBA Super Champion Chris John. Marquez has a fractured shoulder and will be out at least 6 months and it looks like Chris John's manager is negotating for him to fight WBA regular champion Yuriorkis Gamboa. What other fighter would you like to face in March?
Juanma Lopez: If I can't fight Chris John then Elio Rojas (WBC featherweight champion) is another guy I would like to fight. They have mentioned that I could fight him. I don't have an exact name in mind but I would like to fight him. It looks like I will be fighting Yuriorkis Gamboa the day before the Puerto Rican Day parade in June.
BoxingScene.com: Juan Manuel Marquez's name has been brought up also. He fights two weight classes above yours. Are you seriously considering fighting him now or is that something that is more for down the line when you look to move up in weight again?
Juanma Lopez: That was something that someone mentioned to me. It wasn't something we were really looking at. We knew Rafael Marquez wanted a rematch and someone said what about fighting his brother. It seemed like it would be a good fight in September for Mexican Independence Day weekend.
BoxingScene.com: What weight would the fight take place at?
Juanma Lopez: I would be willing to go up to 130 pounds. He is a great fighter in great condition and I think we could meet at 130. Really though it was just an idea out there. We are trying to set up my next fight that I want in March first.
BoxingScene.com: It has been reported that Daniel Ponce De Leon is your mandatory for the WBO. You knocked him out in the first round the first time you fought him and that is a fight the fans don't really want to see again. Is it possible you may have to face him in March or risk being stripped of your title?
Juanma Lopez: Really that isn't a fight I want. It isn't that interesting. I think that the people are confused. He is the number one ranked contender but fighting Marquez counted for a mandatory. He was number 2 so I should still have some options available.
BoxingScene.com: That is a fight the fans don't really seem interested in and a fight that HBO or Showtime probably wouldn't be thrilled to televise.
Juanma Lopez: I don't really want that fight but if they said I have to do it then I would fight him. It definitely isn't my first or second choice though.
BoxingScene.com: What exactly happened after the weigh in for the Marquez fight? When you walked down from the stage Celestino Caballero and his trainer Jeff Mayweather were there and Caballero had a confrontation with your team. Caballero told me he was just asking to fight you but I know there are two sides to every story. What is your take on the situation?
Juanma Lopez: At first he was asking for a fight but then he was there talking a bunch of trash. He said that I was a little girl and that he was a man and this and that. He wasn't just asking for a fight. We were listening to his trash talk but we were trying to ignore him. He kept going on and on and he was just trying to piss us off. We could only take so much before we got mad. He kept talking and talking. That is when the pushing started and then the security broke it up. He just talks and he is a person who isn't worth my time.
BoxingScene.com: I am sure you are aware that a lot of the boxing fans would like to see you fight Caballero. I want to give you the opportunity to give your point of view on this potential fight and if you feel it is worth fighting him right now or if it makes more sense from a business stand point for this fight to happen later.
Juanma Lopez: It was a fight that I was interested in before but it didn't happen and boxing is a sport that you need the TV networks to be involved in. I don't fight for free so it would have to be a good deal and Caballero doesn't bring that to the table right now. I really have no problems fighting him but I want to be compensated for it. If they can bring a good deal to the table I would fight him.
BoxingScene.com: Has this came down to a respect issue? A lot of fighters call out other fighters but do it in a respectful manner. Has this came down to where you don't want to fight him because you would be helping him make money or is it to the point where you want to get in the ring with him so you can shut his mouth once and for all?
Juanma Lopez: (Por mi parte me voy manana para callar su osico) Really I would love to fight him tomorrow and shut his trap. I really would like to crack him one but my managers say he isn't worth it. They tell me he doesn't bring anything to the table so why should I waste my time on him?
BoxingScene.com: We know that Tito Trinidad is known as the "Gran Campeon" of Puerto Rico and after him Cotto was the next great Puerto Rican star. Do you you feel you have taken the torch as the next Puerto Rican star or will Cotto have that title until he retires?
Juanma Lopez: I know I am in a good position right now. Cotto is a great champion as well. He is a great star right now and I think I am in a good spot as well and we both can be great champions at the same time. We both work hard and respect each other. This year Puerto Rico has two great champions.
BoxingScene.com: Let's look in the future a little bit. If you fight Gamboa in June the day before the Puerto Rican Day parade how do you think it will feel to leave the ring as the winner in a fight of that magnitude?
Juanma Lopez: I think that my win over Marquez sent me up a level so that I am more well known worldwide. I know that the fans have anticipated a fight between Gamboa and myself for a long time and a lot of people think that I can't hang with him. They don't think I can take his punches so when I beat him I think I will go up to a whole other level in the fans eyes.
BoxingScene.com: Do you have a message for the fans?
Juanma Lopez: Thanks for their support. I am where I am because I have 100% of my fans support. I hope they keep supporting me and keep following me.
WBO featherweight champion Juan "Juanma" Lopez spoke to BoxingScene.com about his recent win over two division champion Rafael Marquez. The Puerto Rican sensation talks about the possibility of a clash with Marquez's big brother Juan Manuel over Mexican Independence Day weekend in September. Juanma also talks about his nemesis Celestino Caballero, Yuriorkis Gamboa and more in this exclusive interview.
BoxingScene.com: First off congrats again on your big win over Rafael Marquez. How did the fans react when you arrived back in Puerto Rico at the airport?
Juanma Lopez: It was very nice. They treated me very well. They were very gracious when I arrived back to the airport. I feel like I definitely am at a higher level now, especially in the fans eyes. They were very enthusiastic and it made me feel good to see that.
BoxingScene.com: This was your first fight versus a Mexican fighter on a big stage. How did it feel to be part of such a storied rivalry?
Juanma Lopez: It was bigger than I even thought. The Mexican fans were very passionate and I could see how big it was to them and the Puerto Rican fans as well. It was very exciting and I was glad I was able to get the win. I really enjoyed the whole experience.
BoxingScene.com: In the press conference after the fight you said that you wanted a rematch with Rafael Marquez or a fight with WBA Super Champion Chris John. Marquez has a fractured shoulder and will be out at least 6 months and it looks like Chris John's manager is negotating for him to fight WBA regular champion Yuriorkis Gamboa. What other fighter would you like to face in March?
Juanma Lopez: If I can't fight Chris John then Elio Rojas (WBC featherweight champion) is another guy I would like to fight. They have mentioned that I could fight him. I don't have an exact name in mind but I would like to fight him. It looks like I will be fighting Yuriorkis Gamboa the day before the Puerto Rican Day parade in June.
BoxingScene.com: Juan Manuel Marquez's name has been brought up also. He fights two weight classes above yours. Are you seriously considering fighting him now or is that something that is more for down the line when you look to move up in weight again?
Juanma Lopez: That was something that someone mentioned to me. It wasn't something we were really looking at. We knew Rafael Marquez wanted a rematch and someone said what about fighting his brother. It seemed like it would be a good fight in September for Mexican Independence Day weekend.
BoxingScene.com: What weight would the fight take place at?
Juanma Lopez: I would be willing to go up to 130 pounds. He is a great fighter in great condition and I think we could meet at 130. Really though it was just an idea out there. We are trying to set up my next fight that I want in March first.
BoxingScene.com: It has been reported that Daniel Ponce De Leon is your mandatory for the WBO. You knocked him out in the first round the first time you fought him and that is a fight the fans don't really want to see again. Is it possible you may have to face him in March or risk being stripped of your title?
Juanma Lopez: Really that isn't a fight I want. It isn't that interesting. I think that the people are confused. He is the number one ranked contender but fighting Marquez counted for a mandatory. He was number 2 so I should still have some options available.
BoxingScene.com: That is a fight the fans don't really seem interested in and a fight that HBO or Showtime probably wouldn't be thrilled to televise.
Juanma Lopez: I don't really want that fight but if they said I have to do it then I would fight him. It definitely isn't my first or second choice though.
BoxingScene.com: What exactly happened after the weigh in for the Marquez fight? When you walked down from the stage Celestino Caballero and his trainer Jeff Mayweather were there and Caballero had a confrontation with your team. Caballero told me he was just asking to fight you but I know there are two sides to every story. What is your take on the situation?
Juanma Lopez: At first he was asking for a fight but then he was there talking a bunch of trash. He said that I was a little girl and that he was a man and this and that. He wasn't just asking for a fight. We were listening to his trash talk but we were trying to ignore him. He kept going on and on and he was just trying to piss us off. We could only take so much before we got mad. He kept talking and talking. That is when the pushing started and then the security broke it up. He just talks and he is a person who isn't worth my time.
BoxingScene.com: I am sure you are aware that a lot of the boxing fans would like to see you fight Caballero. I want to give you the opportunity to give your point of view on this potential fight and if you feel it is worth fighting him right now or if it makes more sense from a business stand point for this fight to happen later.
Juanma Lopez: It was a fight that I was interested in before but it didn't happen and boxing is a sport that you need the TV networks to be involved in. I don't fight for free so it would have to be a good deal and Caballero doesn't bring that to the table right now. I really have no problems fighting him but I want to be compensated for it. If they can bring a good deal to the table I would fight him.
BoxingScene.com: Has this came down to a respect issue? A lot of fighters call out other fighters but do it in a respectful manner. Has this came down to where you don't want to fight him because you would be helping him make money or is it to the point where you want to get in the ring with him so you can shut his mouth once and for all?
Juanma Lopez: (Por mi parte me voy manana para callar su osico) Really I would love to fight him tomorrow and shut his trap. I really would like to crack him one but my managers say he isn't worth it. They tell me he doesn't bring anything to the table so why should I waste my time on him?
BoxingScene.com: We know that Tito Trinidad is known as the "Gran Campeon" of Puerto Rico and after him Cotto was the next great Puerto Rican star. Do you you feel you have taken the torch as the next Puerto Rican star or will Cotto have that title until he retires?
Juanma Lopez: I know I am in a good position right now. Cotto is a great champion as well. He is a great star right now and I think I am in a good spot as well and we both can be great champions at the same time. We both work hard and respect each other. This year Puerto Rico has two great champions.
BoxingScene.com: Let's look in the future a little bit. If you fight Gamboa in June the day before the Puerto Rican Day parade how do you think it will feel to leave the ring as the winner in a fight of that magnitude?
Juanma Lopez: I think that my win over Marquez sent me up a level so that I am more well known worldwide. I know that the fans have anticipated a fight between Gamboa and myself for a long time and a lot of people think that I can't hang with him. They don't think I can take his punches so when I beat him I think I will go up to a whole other level in the fans eyes.
BoxingScene.com: Do you have a message for the fans?
Juanma Lopez: Thanks for their support. I am where I am because I have 100% of my fans support. I hope they keep supporting me and keep following me.