Moments ago inside of the media center in the MGM Grand Garden Arena, Top Rank promoter Bob Arum spoke on the future of WBO featherweight champion Juan Manuel Lopez. Just moments prior Lopez had pulled out a grueling victory over Rafael Marquez, forcing the brave Mexican to remain on his stool after eight rounds as he made the second defense of his title. It was another compelling fight involving Lopez, who last July had to come off the canvas before dusting off Bernabe Concepcion in Puerto Rico. Against Marquez he absorbed some heavy leather, particularly in the 4th round in which he appeared to be in trouble, but he regrouped and turned the tide of the fight in the middle rounds. He poured some serious punishment on Marquez in rounds seven and eight before the Mexico City fighter advised his corner that he had enough. Speaking on what lies ahead for Lopez, Arum told the assembled media that he is going to stage the 27-year olds next fight in Puerto Rico in an attempt to follow the blueprint of what his company did with Miguel Cotto, who often traveled back to the island during his days at 140 pounds. Arum said that if Lopez is successful they will eye a June matchup with WBA champion Yuriorkis Gamboa, likely in New York around the time of the Puerto Rican Day Parade. Gamboa and Lopez have been linked together for a while now, as people in the sport have been eyeing the possibility of them facing off on as far as a few years back. The slick Cuban has tremendous speed and deceptive power but has often tasted the canvas after getting reckless in the ring. A fight between him and Lopez would be one to die for. Arum also noted that Gamboa would have one more fight before the Lopez battle and rumors have it that it could be against WBA 'Super' champion Chris John. Marquez promoter Gary Shaw claimed that his fighter was being sent directly to hospital following the contest because of a shoulder injury he suffered during the bout. Shaw said that his charge showed enough of an effort to warrant a rematch and even though Lopez said he was open to it, the fight that people are eying is the Gamboa clash. :blurp
JuanMa - Gamboa is one of the best fights that can be made. If this happens next year, I'll be a happy man. I think Gamboa might be facing John next, which could certainly throw a spanner in the works. A win wouls make the fight even bigger though, and would lead to the Gamboa-JuanMa winner being the #1 Featherweight. When it does happen, I'm going with Gamboa.
For Juanma-Gamboa to have the billing that Top Rank and fans want to see it have Juanma and Gamboa have to beat Caballero and John before they get it on. If they don't it's still a great fight but it isn't a huge fight. For me of the next generation that HBO and the promoters have been trying to sell to us as the future of Boxing only Juanma feels like a star in the making. All the other fighters have as much pulling power as the Elephant Man, are overrated and are inactive.
If Gamboa beats John beforehand, then I think the winner would have a strong claim to be in the top 5. After Floyd and Pac, I don't think many of the guys above them right now are actually much better, they're just more proven. I'd have no problem ranking the winners of Gamboa-JuanMa and Montiel-Donaire in the top 5.
