by Paul Magno Juan Manuel Lopez burst upon the scene as quickly and as violently as the right hand that helped him end the reign of , then WBO Jr. Featherweight champ, Daniel Ponce de Leon. A well-regarded prospect with an excellent amateur career, Lopez, was immediately pushed on to the main stage and expected to act the role of heir apparent to fellow Boricua, Miguel … [Read more...]
Gamboa and Lopez Raise Calls For Immediate Showdown
by Dafs117Yuriorkis Gamboa KO 2 Rogers MtagwaJuan Manuel Lopez TKO 7 Steven LuevanoRogers Mtagwa looked little more than a journeyman last night as Yuriorkis Gamboa used him as a human punchbag by landing 50% of his wild punches in their co-feature at Madison Square Garden.Gamboa was devastating as he knocked down his Tanzanian challenger three times before referee Steve … [Read more...]
Juanma’s Big Step Up
by Paul MagnoJuan Manuel Lopez is not your father's Puerto Rican boxing hero.There is a long line of stoic, no-nonsense boricua heroes, from Jose Torres and Carlos Ortiz to Wilftredo Gomez and Wilfredo Benitez, right up to Felix Trinidad and Miguel Cotto. The Puerto Rican hero has been characterized by an old school blend of technical proficiency and pure, island-forged … [Read more...]
Magno vs. The Machine (Stage 8 Luevano-Lopez, Gamboa-Mtagwa)
We’re back. After both competitors hibernated over the Christmas period, hopefully both are in top condition; looking to erase those New Year cobwebs with two correct predictions in our first Magno vs. Machine of the decade.WBO featherweight titleholder Steven Luevano will defend his crown against undefeated Puerto Rican sensation Juan Manuel Lopez, who survived his first gut … [Read more...]
The BTBC Fight of the Week
Saturday, August 15thSteven Luevano vs. Bernabe Concepcion(WBO Featherweight Title)Hard Rock Hotel and Casino, Las Vegas, Nevada The Breakdown:Steven Luevano: 36-1-1 (15 KO), Rated #2 at Featherweight by the BTBC Age: 28Height: 5' 7 "Reach: 69"Stance: SouthpawCareer Achievements: Reigning WBO Featherweight Champ (4 Defenses)Notable Opposition: Cristobal Cruz (Win via UD), Nicky … [Read more...]