Juan Manuel Lopez considers Juan Manuel Marquez in 2011
Juan Manuel Lopez, fresh off a stunning defeat of Rafael Marquez, said he would entertain the possibility of fighting the older member of the Marquez tribe, Juan Manuel, in 2011 for Mexican Independence
day weekend.
In an interview with boxingscene.com, Lopez said: "I would be interested in the fight [with Marquez]. Someone brought up the question and yes I would like to do it. I wanted to give Rafael a rematch but
if he can't go I would fight his brother. Juan Manuel Marquez and I would be a big fight for Mexican Independence Day. I want to fight in March and then Gamboa in June. I would be ready to fight again in September."
A clash between Juan Manuel Lopez and Juan Manuel Marquez would excite hardcore boxing fans for many reasons. Not only would it pit a Mexican against a Puerto Rican, but it also gives Marquez the opportunity
to avenge the loss recently inflicted on his brother by “Juanma.”
For the bout, it's likely that Juan Manuel Lopez would have to move up in weight as Marquez regularly fights in the lightweight category. Lopez confirmed by saying he would “go up to 130 pounds” to fight
Marquez.
One problem with this possibility, however, is that Marquez hasn’t fought at 130 since 2008 when he lost a split decision to boxing superstar Manny Pacquiao.
Another huge hindrance to fight negotiations is the fact that Lopez is promoted by Top Rank, whereas Marquez is promoted by rival promoter Golden Boy Promotions. For recent months and ongoing legal and
personal feud has halted inter-operations between the promoters, seriously jeopardizing the possibility of several key fights in professional boxing.
Aside from poisonous boxing politics, there is also the fact that the featherweight division, to which Lopez is indebted, is currently full of prospectively huge fights. But the fierce boxing rivalry between
Puerto Rico and Mexico, combined with Mexico's independence day, could tilt the odds towards the unlikely bout happening.
Tags: