Next up for Lopez is Bernabe Concepcion in what is likely an enormous mismatch. Of course, the same was thought of his routine WBO defense against Rogers Mtagwa, who pushed him to (and slightly over) his limit. However, it is my personal opinion that Concepcion is garbage, and not even the same level of fighter as Mtagwa. A Lopez win, probably a dominant one, seems a safe assumption. That being the case, what then? There are rumors that a meeting with Rafael Marquez in September is in the works. Or, their respective promoters could decide it's as lucrative a time as any to consummate the long-time flirtation between Lopez and Yuriorkis Gamboa (coming right on the heels of their heavier and less talented counterparts in Chavez and Duddy doing the same...it would make 2010 the year of the long-awaited superfights). The lanky specter of Celestino Caballero also lurks with a quiet, predatory patience... Chris John is a problem nobody wants - although Juarez has shown that the old armor has developed a few dents (and Rocky himself is arguably largely responsible for some of them). Then there are the also-rans - those who land just on the acceptable side of credibility but who would still be considered less favorable dance partners than those listed above. Men like Lock, Dib, Burgos, Gonzalez, Salido etc. - who would more or less be continuations of the recent run of class Lopez has faced. [yt]EjTDM7Q1faA[/yt]
Featherweight is probably my favourite division right now seriously underrated. But no one seems to keen on facing one another the stars aren't touching eachother and the contenders are content waiting for their shot at one of the bigger fighters a division that epitomises the problems with Boxing. In this case I would like to see him take on Rafa next as he is his mandatory I believe and it would be his most experienced opponent to date it would be a very credible fight for him. Im pissed about Gamboa-Salido, its time they stepped up Gamboa he has proven himself above that level and has learnt as much as he can against the likes of Salido.
Rematch with Mtagwa then Elio Rojas. Gamboa is fighting Salido so all 4 belts can be unified when they fight each other.
Celestino is the fighter who most deserves the payday, and outside of Gamboa, probably offers the best challenge. Would love to see that matchup. IB, nice use of Men At Work.
If I personally was managing his career, I would probably match him up with Marquez, then Rojas(thanks for that idea, HH), then finally Gamboa. First of all, I would like make it known that I REALLY want to see him face Caballero and stop running like a *****, but I honestly don't think his promotors care what Pelenchin does, they will never face Juanma with him. Marquez is a legend, a great fighter, albeit slightly shot, but still a legend. This is a continuation of the PR vs. Mexico rivalry, a great selling angle. Plus, Juanma most likely walks away with a victory and even more name recognition. If I wanted to make the biggest fight with Gamboa possible, I would definitely like the idea of having all 4 major belts between the 2 fighters. Therefore, I would match Juanma up with Elio Rojas next. Juanma has the style which could very easily handle Rojas, while Gamboa would possibly struggle against a counter puncher with very good defense like Rojas. As a promotor, your job is to make as much money as possible using your product, or fighter. I don't think Rojas would be able to really damage the product, or Lopez, before the potentially huge fights. I think it would be a UD for Juanma. Then, finally, you have to take on Gamboa eventually if both are undefeated at that point, so why not now? I want this fight to be made as soon as possible, but the promotors might want to put it off for as long as possible. Gamboa has 3 years at least on Lopez, so they might pull a BHop and fight Jones after he is old and shot.
I think Marquez brings the biggest payday and isn't that much bigger of a threat than Cabo, who I think deserves a payday more than anyone on the board. If the name of the game is make cash and the oldest fighter coming off a trilogy of wars is the biggest name, take it.
There's no "Others" in the options? I think JuanMa will target Izzy or Rocky and you'll know why after the Bernabe Concepcion fight.
