Advisor says Juan Manuel Lopez will be forced into Celestino Caballero bout
Tension continues to rise in the featherweight division between multiple champion Celestino Caballero and Juan Manuel Lopez, as Caballero’s advisor says the time is coming when Lopez will be forced to fight “Pelenchin.”
Caballero and Chris John advisor Sampson Lewkowicz recently spoke to boxingscene.com about either of the two fighting Lopez, the WBO featherweight king, in March. Lewkowicz shed light on John’s upcoming plans, implying that Caballero was going to be the
rightful challenger to his crown.
Lopez is coming off the biggest win of his career Saturday night against Rafael Marquez. Marquez failed to answer to the bell in ninth round, after complaining of a shoulder injury. Tests have confirmed a hairline fracture in his right shoulder, meaning
the possibility of a rematch between Lopez and Marquez will have to be put on pause for some months.
According to some, “Juanma,” in the wake of Marquez’s injury, is pushing to fight WBA “super champion in recess,” Chris John. John became super champion after ten successful defenses of his title, and was declared champion in recess following a July injury.
Lewkowicz claims that a conflict in fights and interest makes John unavailable for Lopez. He indicated John is set to take on Fernando Saucedo on December 3 and that after he plans to take on WBA active “super champion” Yuriorkis Gamboa, as per WBA guidelines.
"With that scenario, Juanma doesn't have Chris John,” Lewkowicz said. “I now want the public to decide, who will be your [Lopez’s] opponent. And the public, worldwide, and by a huge margin, will select Celestino Caballero. Caballero has his own promoter, Lou
DiBella of DiBella Entertainment, and he is most willing to negotiate in good faith.”
Caballero’s advisor continued that Caballero is Lopez’s best bet because he is the only other fighter at 126 pounds or 130 pounds to offer a substantial payday.
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