A FORGIVEN JUANMA L?PEZ RETURNS FEB 2 IN PUERTO RICO;
By Carlos Costa
PhilBoxing.com
Fri, 21 Dec 2012
Former two-division world champion Juan Manuel "Juanma" L?pez gets back into fight action on February 2, 2013, in the main event of "Noche de Campeones" at El Coliseo Rub?n Gonz?lez in Bayam?n, Puerto Rico, a production of Puerto Rico's PR Best Boxing Promotions.
Juanma L?pez (31-2, 28 KOs), once a fearsome super bantamweight and featherweight champion, returns to the ring in a non-title 10-rounder bout against an opponent to be announced, and the mind of the tough southpaw is set into being a world champion again.
JUANMA: "126 and 130 POUNDERS GET READY FOR ME"
It will be Juanma's first fight since being crushed for a second time by Mexican Orlando Salido (39-11-2, 27KO's) last March and suspended by the Comisi?n de Boxeo Profesional de Puerto Rico (CBPPR) after comments the outspoken Juanma made during a live televised post-fight interview.
The suspension was ended by Puerto Rico's Secretario de Recreaci?n y Deportes, Henry Neumann, so the hard-hitting Juanma L?pez is now able to continue his stellar boxing career and has already been ranked #5 featherweight by the WBO.
"I've been training since August and I am in very good condition. Now I'd fight in another division, but all 126-pounders beware that I am am not gone, and the 130-pounders should be ready for me," said the 29-year-old Puerto Rican star.
"I want to be world champion again and I am focused on my training."
JONATHAN "BOMBA" GONZALEZ WANTS VILORIA
In the same card, young slugger Jonathan "Bomba" Gonz?lez (11-0, 10KO's) will defend his interim WBO Youth Flyweight Title against a fighter to be announced.
The hard-swinging 21-year-old Jonathan "Bomba" Gonz?lez, who became Amateur World Champion in 2008, is currently the #12 Featherweight by the WBO and has pulverized by knockout his four opponents of 2012.
"I am prepared to fight any world-rated boxer and I am also ready for Brian Viloria," said Jonathan "Bomba" Gonz?lez while looking at WBO President Francisco "Paco" Valc?rcel.
THE UNDERCARD FEATURES PUERTO RICOS RISING STARS
In addition to Juanma L?pez and "Bomba" Gonzalez, Puerto Rican world-rated figthers Lightweight Jos? "Chelo" Gonz?lez (21-0, 16KO's), as well as twin brothers Flyweight McWilliams Arroyo (13-1, 11KO's), and Super Flyweight southpaw McJoe Arroyo (11-0, 6KO's) will be featured in regional title fights.
The 27 year-old McWilliams Arroyo won the Gold Medal in the 2009 World Amateur Boxing Championships in Milan, while brother McJoe Arroyo won bronze in 2007 at World Amateur championships in Chicago.
McJoe and McWilliams represented Puerto Rico in the Olympic Games in Beijing 2008.
VARCARCEL: THE BAYAMON "NOCHE DE CAMPEONES" CARD IS IMPORTANT
The WBO President Francisco "Paco" Valc?rcel, present during today's presser in Puerto Rico, praised the quality of the fighters that will take part in "Noche de Campeones" and said that "each and every one of them (Juanma Lopez, Chelo Gonz?lez, "La Bomba" Gonz?lez, McJoe Arroyo and McWilliams Arroyo) will be battling for world titles next year. That's why this card is important."
PHOTOS COURTESY OF PUERTO RICO'S PR BEST BOXING
Top photo: Juanma Lopez (R) with WBO President Paco Valcarcel.
Juanma Lopez returns on February 2, 2013 in Bayamon - L to R: Bomba Gonzalez, Chelo Gonzalez, Juanma Lopez, McWilliams and McJoe Arroyo.
Click here to view a list of other articles written by Carlos Costa.
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