Mikey Garcia Vs Juan Manuel Lopez - Post-Fight Report

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The Fans Have Voted: Garcia Vs Lopez

The action dies down a little this week after an action-packed weekend of boxing last week, but there's still one big fight to look forward to; Mikey Garcia Vs Juan Manuel Lopez. Garcia puts his WBO featherweight title on the line against an experienced former world  champion in Lopez.

Juan Manuel Lopez to return in November!

Former super-bantamweight and featherweight world champion Juan Manuel Lopez is hoping to return to the ring and possibly at a higher weight. The Puerto Rican may be moving up to 130lb as he feels it may be easier for him to make the weight.

"My team and I are going to talk that over soon. It would be a lot easier to make weight at 130 but if the right fight presents itself then I definitely have to look at going back down to 126," said Lopez.

JuanMa's last fight was a loss to Mexican rival Orlando Salido in what many people believe was the Fight Of The Year. There was controversy surrounding him after the fight as he criticised the referee for stopping him in the 10th round, suggesting that he had gambling problems.

Even if you don't like Lopez, you will have to admit that he is one of the most exciting fighters in the sport today. He has a 'fight to the death' style and is sometimes to brave for his own good, as shown his only two losses which both came to Orlando Salido. He may never return to the top level of the sport, especially if he keeps taking as many punches as he sometimes does. But, one thing that is for sure is that the Puerto Rican will always provide entertainment for the fans.

A move up to 130lb may suit the former world champ as even he must realise that featherweight is one of the toughest divisions at this current time and he may not be able to compete with the top guys at the weight.

I am really looking forward to seeing in action again. I just hope that it is against a half-decent opponent so we get to see his usual fighting style that attracts so many fans.

BoxingOpinions Special: Orlando Salido... Journeyman to Champion!

I guess you could say that WBO featherweight champion Orlando Salido is one of the most unlikely champions around today. The Mexican warrior lost eight of his first seventeen fights and at one point he was even considered as a journeyman and a fighter that was going nowhere in his career. However, that all changed when he defeated world-class talent Robert Guerrero...

After the fight with Guerrero, Salido apparently tested positive for steroids but the test was retaken and there was nothing illegal found in his body. Although he was proved innocent, the steroids rumour meant that Salido still wasn't really able to get rid of his journeyman 'label'. But, a fighter like Salido does not let this sort of thing affect him. He continued to fight and in 2010 he landed a fight with pound-for-pound contender Yuriorkis Gamboa. Salido did not win the fight but he proved that he was able to compete at world level.

Things then got even better for the 32-year old. He was given the opportunity to to challenge undefeated world champion Juan Manuel Lopez for the WBO title.

Salido went into the fight as a massive underdog and nobody, including Lopez, really expected him to win. This is what made Salido's victory even sweeter. He shocked the world by stopping Lopez in the 8th round and he became the new featherweight champion of the world.

Salido-Lopez II could be fight of the year.

Lopez moaned about the fight and claimed that the referee stepped in way too early but it was clear that the Puerto Rican was in big trouble. A rematch between the two fighters was made this year and again it took place in Lopez's home country. Everyone in the whole arena, including the judges, was against Salido. But, he didn't care! He sent Lopez crashing to the canvas in round 10 and the referee stopped the fight. The fight is a huge contender for fight of the year.

Salido may have turned pro at the age of 15, he may have been in more wars than he can actually remember, he may be showing signs of ring wear but nobody can deny that this man will give any featherweight in the world trouble. He is the current world champion and he is still looking very, very strong!

Juan Manuel Lopez suspended for a year!

The Puerto Rico Professional Boxing Commission have suspended Juan Manuel Lopez for one year for making allegations that the referee in 
his fight with Orlando Salido had a gambling problem. 

Lopez was knocked down in the 10th round of the fight and managed to get back to his feet but the referee stopped the fight. 

Lopez then criticised the referee 
(Roberto Ramirez Sr), saying that he had a gambling problem and that he 
stopped the fight because of this. 

The former WBO featherweight champion will also have to pay a $10,000 
fine and complete 100 hours of community service. 

Lopez who has a record of 31-2 with 28 knock outs suffered both of his losses to Salido. 

He has said that a suspension would most likely send 
him into early retirement. He has 20 days to appeal. 

The Puerto Rican fan favourite has asked for forgiveness and said that 
he didn't have a clue what he was saying after the fight.

Lopez Apologises To Referee

Juan Manuel Lopez suffered his second loss of his career on Saturday night to the same man who handed him his first defeat, Orlando Salido. The two battled out it out in a toe-to-toe slug-fest for 10 rounds until the referee Roberto Ramirez Sr. ended the bout by awarding a TKO win to Salido.

The fight is currently the leading candidate for fight of the year as both fighters gave it their all and had everyone in the crowd on their feet for most of the fight. Lopez was happy with his own performance and credited Salido for being a tough fighter but he stated that he was very disappointed with the referee who he claimed suffers a very bad gambling problem.

''The referee stopped the fight because he has gambling problems'' said Lopez to Showtime's Jim Gray. ''I told the Commission the referee was a gambler, and they did wrong as putting him as the referee. It was very irresponsible for putting him as the referee knowing he has a gambling problem.''

Lopez quickly and publicly apologised for saying what he did.

Roberto Ramirez Sr.

''For my part, I apologise to Roberto for comments I had made after the fight with Salido... Roberto is one of the best referees in the world. He did a great job and I appreciate that I was protected because I was definitely hurt!'' Lopez announced in a statement by PR Best Boxing Promotions.

Orlamdo Salido was very happy with his win and said that he knew he had to win by knockout or beat Lopez decisively to win in Lopez's hometown Puerto Rico and the judges scorecards proved him right. When the fight ended, Michael Pernick and Cesar Ramos had Lopez ahead by 86-84 and Danny Nelson had it level at 85-85 even though Salido landed 235 punches compared to Lopez who landed 135. Salido now has a record of (38-11-2, 26 KOs).

It looks unlikely the two fighters will meet for a third time although both said they are willing to as Salido is looking to face Mikey Garcia who recently stopped Bernabe Concepcion in the seventh round.

Mikey Garcia on Lopez victory, being ill, and what's next!

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Robert Garcia on Mikey Garcia's next fight

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