Juan Manuel Lopez and Rafael Marquez fight jeopardized
A Sept. 18th featherweight bout for the WBO featherweight title between Juan Manuel Lopez and Rafael Marquez is in jeopardy after Marquez suffered a recent injury to his right thumb, boxingscene.com reports. Top Rank Promotions chief Bob Arum confirmed the news today.
In a statement from Italy, Bob Arum said: “"Luckily, Fernando Beltran (of co-promoter Zanfer) was in Mexico City, and he and Rafael are going to the doctor to examine his (right thumb) and see what the problem is. Apparently, Rafael caught a finger in a car door. They should be there at the doctor's office right now. We don't know whether the fight's off or not, but at worst, it will be postponed. But right now, we don't know."
Fernando Beltran, who co-promotes Marquez with Gary Shaw, flew to Mexico City immediately after the news, Top Rank Promotions public relations specialist Lee Samuels stated.
"Beltran has brought his own doctor with him, and will speak to Marquez and report on what is going on. They will have Marquez re-examined, and then we hope to have a report back on it tonight,” Samuels said.
A statement to the Associated Press was released and attributed to Marquez. He said: "I am very disappointed with what has happened to me. Everyone knows that's the fight I was waiting for, but I definitely won't be ready by September 18. I don't know what will happen now. I came from the doctor and he told me not to fight. I'm sad for myself and all of the Mexicans who wanted to see us fight on the 18th in Las Vegas."
It was unclear if his statement was based on an examination by the doctor accompanying Beltran, or whether Marquez went to see another beforehand. The Associated Press also commented that upon doctor’s referral, Marquez would need six to eight weeks to recover.
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