Juan Manuel Lopez & the Featherweights
By Gina L. Caliboso
On Saturday, July 10, 2010, Puerto Rican Juan Manuel “Juanma” Lopez, 28-0, 25 KO’s will go up against Filipino Bernabe “The Real Deal” Concepcion, 28-3-1, 15 KO’s. To Lopez’s advantage, the fight will take place in his backyard of Puerto Rico. And while the boxing world remains relatively quiet with the exception of the Super Six tournament, the featherweight division has this boxing writer watching more closely in the upcoming months.
Lopez, a southpaw and solid KO puncher as indicative of his impressive fight record with 25 KO’s currently ranks at number 2 among the featherweights. At the top of the rankings, Indonesia’s Chris John, 43-0-2, 22 KO’s, remains number one.
Lopez’s opponent, Concepcion currently ranks at number 9 among active featherweights. Signed by Bob Arum and Top Rank, I’ll start with a closer look at Concepcion and just what he might need to do in order to challenge Juanma. More importantly, it’s a look at a rather intriguing fight history. And, a title belt could make it all the more competition for Concepcion.
In going back to 2009, Concepcion has what I consider a mixed results record at best. It’s good, it’s solid, and I’m just not sure if his fight ability has been truly crafted and honed to make him an all out KO fighter that will annihilate his opponent. It’s a tall order for sure, but I have a high expectation of Filipino fighters because as I sadly look at the rankings, Filipino fighters aren’t anywhere prominent.
Of course, Manny Pacquiao is currently ranked number 2 behind Floyd Mayweather. But among the bantamweights and featherweights, I’m a little concerned that there aren’t any great fights for Filipino fighters on the horizon – at least for now.
Concepcion began 2009 with a fight against Sande Otieno. In January 2009, he fought against Otieno for the vacant WBC International Featherweight title and there were extensive injuries suffered by Otieno (a cut caused by a headbutt in the 3rd round; in the fifth round, Otieno’s nose had been bleeding due to continued rights by Concepcion).
Upon consultation with Otieno’s corner, ring physician, and referee, the fight was stopped with Concepcion getting the TD in the 5th round in a scheduled 12 round title bout.
Four months later in May, Concepcion defeated Yogli Herrera with a 6 round unanimous decision. Three months later, Concepcion went up against fighter Steven Luevano. And here’s where the mixed results just surprises me. Against Luevano, Concepcion suffered a DQ in the 7th round when he hit Luevano after the bell rang. Following this, he rebounded in February of this year to win a 10 round unanimous decision over Mario Santiago.
In his three losses, Concepcion has not been knocked out nor has he suffered a TKO. Instead, his 3 losses are based on two majority decisions and a DQ. The MDs were early in his career back in 2004 and 2005. I also think that fighters that lose by DQ just failed to follow the rules and maybe just punched in hopes the referee had turned his back, maybe. Yes, we can all take a slight gasp and think of Andre Dirrell and Arthur Abraham because it immediately comes to mind.
As for Juanma, what can be said about the champion KO puncher from Puerto Rico that in his 28 victories, 25 of his wins have been by knockout. True KO power if a record speaks and it’s not as if he’s fighting against handpicked would-be’s.
Because he is the current WBO Featherweight titleholder and will put his belt on the line against Concepcion, I have to take a closer look at his fight record going back as early as 2006
Juanma’s supreme reign as a super bantamweight started back in 2006 when he defeated Jose Alonso for the then vacant WBO Latino Super Bantamweight title. He successful defended the title all the way into 2008. In June 2008, he fought for the WBO Super Bantamweight title and easily defeated Daniel Ponce de Leon with a 1st round TKO.
He followed up with a 1st round KO against Cesar Figueroa followed by another 1st round victory by TKO against Sergio Manuel Medina. Into 2009, Juanma continued his winning ways by defeating Gerry Penalosa with a 10th round retirement, followed by a another stoppage in the 9th round against Oliver Lontchi. In October 2009, he fought against Rogers Mtagwa and defeated him with a 12 round unanimous decision. Into 2010, he found against Luevano and earned a 7th round TKO for the WBO Featherweight title – his first title defense.
And now, on July 10th, he’ll be after his 2nd title defense of the featherweight title.
Again, Concepcion versus Juanma will be a good fight for both boxers. For Concepcion, he has a tremendous opportunity to put a great match together and move up in the featherweight rankings. Concepcion must put together a strong and disciplined approach to fighting Juanma.
As for Juanma, by defeating Concepcion, should be considered the number one ranked featherweight. Although Chris John is currently ranked #1 and is the current WBA Super Featherweight titleholder, a showdown between the two best featherweights should happen sometime this year. There’s still time. On July 26th, John is expected to go up against Fernando David Saucedo.
As Juanma will be fighting in Puerto Rico, I predict that he will come away with the victory, but it won’t be easy. Both Juanma and Concepcion have a lot to prove. A victory or a loss for either fighter will quickly determine where they both stand among the featherweights.