JUANMA LOPEZ APOLOGIZES FOR COMMENTS HE MADE AFTER FIGHT WITH ORLANDO SALIDO
By Carlos Costa
PhilBoxing.com
Mon, 12 Mar 2012
Minutes after Juan Manuel "Juanma" Lopez's stunning technical KO defeat to Mexican Orlando Salido, the proud Puerto Rico star declared in a live interview with TV network Showtime that the stoppage of referee Roberto Ramirez Sr. was too soon and criticized Ramirez and his son referee Roberto Ramirez Jr., whom he described as "gamblers."
The comments of Juan Manuel "Juanma" Lopez might have been made out of his frustration on his dramatic defeat as today the popular fighter of Caguas, Puerto Rico, together with his promotion company PR Best Boxing Promotions have issued a public apology, which read as follows:
Quotes from Peter Rivera and Juan Manuel Lopez
Peter Rivera, vice president of PR Best Boxing Promotions:
"We in PR Best Boxing Promotions and on behalf of the entire team of former world champion Juan Manuel "Juanma" Lopez want to issue an apology for any comments that may have tarnished the reputation of referee Roberto Ramirez. An event of that magnitude required a third man as Roberto Ramirez Sr., a referee with extensive worldwide experience, and we know that Robert did a great job. Mr. Ramirez did what he had to do. When Juanma was hurt, Ramirez stopped the fight and that kind of referee work is the one that can extend the career of boxers because it protects fighters from receiving unnecessary punishment. We at PR Best Boxing Promotions recognize Mr. Ramirez's professionalism and we fully agree with his decision, and again we apologize for any comments that may cast doubts on his work."
Juan Manuel "Juanma" Lopez:
"I apologize to referee Roberto Ramirez for the comments that I made after my fight with Salido. Roberto Ramirez is one of the best referees in the world. He did a great job, and I appreciate that he has protected me because definitely I was hurt. Everyone knows how much I trained for this fight, all the sacrifices that I had because I wanted to give a big victory to my Puerto Rico and perhaps because of my frustration for failing to my country, I said things that right now I can not even remember, and I wish I could delete. Again, I thank Roberto Ramirez for his work."
"Also, I wish to congratulate Orlando Salido for his victory and thank him for coming to my country to give me the rematch. It was a great fight. Everyone of you could see it, and I wish to say thanks to the people of Puerto Rico for all the support given to me at the Roberto Clemente Coliseum, and say thanks to all fans who have seen the fight on TV. I wish all of you to know that I still have much to do in boxing and soon I will be back to put in high place the name of Puerto Rico."
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