?JUANMA? LOPEZ FIGHTS TO REGAIN WORLD TITLE
By Ronnie Nathanielsz
PhilBoxing.com
Fri, 10 May 2013
Former WBO featherweight champion Juan Manual ?Juanma? Lopez (33-2, 30 KO?s) is fighting to regain his title from reigning and undefeated champion Mikey Garcia (31-0, 26 KOs) of Oxnard, California who were welcomed by former NBA champions Dallas Mavericks team owner Mark Cuban to the American Airlines Center in Dallas, Texas where the fight will take place.
Lopez said he was not only fighting for a world title ?to become world champion again, but I want to prove to everyone that I belong fighting at this elite level. This is a very important fight for my career and my future.?
Lopez who at one time was being mentioned as a possible opponent for Nonito ?The Filipino Flash? Donaire who plans to move up in weight said Garcia may not be the strongest fighter he?s going to face but emphasized ?he?s the smartest and we have to be just as smart as he is inside the ring.?
Garcia who is trained by his brother. 2012 ?Trainer of the Year? Robert Garcia said he knows the fight?s not easy, pointing out ?I?m facing Juanma Lopez who is looking to re-conquer his world championship, but as champion that?s the kind of fight you have to take and deal with.?
Garcia said ?I don?t plan on losing my title. I plan on being champion for a very long time and I don?t want to lose my title on the very first title defense, so I?m prepping myself better than before and expecting the best Juanma to give a great fight. He?s going to come with everything to regain that title and I?m going to give everything to stay the champion.?
Trainer Garcia, himself a former world champion promised the Manila Standard that Mikey ?will be in great shape for the fight against Juanma? noting that the Puerto Rican southpaw ?is a very dangerous opponent, very difficult and a fighter who throws hard punches.?
Garcia said ?we can?t take this fight lightly. Winning the title was hard, retaining the title is even harder.?
Click here to view a list of other articles written by Ronnie Nathanielsz.
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