"One-Time" is set to face "Josesito" on May 19th @ Barclay's in his first defense of the unified WBC & WBA Super welterweight titles. Live on Showtime. López has been in camp essentially all year long, originally set to face Hector Muñoz in a televised bout on Showtime on the Miguel Ángel García vs. Sergey Lipinets undercard on February 10th, which got postponed to March 10th with Josesito still penned in to appear. He withdrew and was replaced with 2016 Olympian and unbeaten Lithuanian prospect (and Freddie Roach pupil) Eimantas Stanionis on 5 days' notice as Muñoz's opponent. Presumably the reason for López bowing out so late bears some connection to all the coincidental rumors swirling around that he's the next opponent for Thurman... Josesito has fought just once annually since his loss to Andre Berto three years ago. Neither opponent was ranked and they both took López the distance, and he was last said to be chasing a rematch with Victor Ortiz as his endgame, aiming low in the grand scheme of things, perhaps realistic about what he does and doesn't have left in the ring. Lest anyone forget, however, Thurman just fought two consecutive mandatory challengers (Shawn Porter & Danny García) so he if anyone is due for a relative "soft touch". Besides, as far as soft touches go, even a shot Josesito if still motivated, with Roberto García in his corner, might be a handful.
Josesito is one of my modern era Mexican Fab 4 that included Julio Diaz, Jesus Soto Karass, and John Molina Jr. because they would fight anybody from 135-154 like a boss. I give The Riverside Rocky his respect due because he has been a warrior that upset the apple cart a few times, KO'ing Mike Dallas Jr. out here in Temecula, almost beating Vargas and breaking Victim Ortiz jaw to get the Canelo fight. Hopefully Haymon throws him a nice check and he comes ready to fight. How can Lopez not be in your favorites list when he went toe to toe with a Super Middle Weight, remember?! This content is protected But,but, Canelo was greeeeennnn.......
Its a safe tune up. I got no problem with it coming off an injury. I want to see a rematch at the end of the year with either Garcia or Porter and Spence or Crawford early in 2019.
Lets put it this way, I respect Lopez when he moved up in weight to fight bigger guys and got knocked out. He's a warrior!
I like the fight after Thurmans injury. Lopez always comes ready for war. Got to respect that. The sport needs guys like him for this exact reason. It'll be impressive if Thurman knocks him out, but I see a tko in the late rounds.
Just playing it safe.. Definitely easy tune up for Thurman. Get a few rounds in shake the rust off then Lopez gets KTFO..