by James Slater – There is no doubting the main event, non-title clash between De La Hoya and Pacquiao is the fight (or mismatch if you prefer) that will be getting all the attention this coming Saturday night in fabulous Las Vegas, but fight fans are also excited about a young, up-and-coming star that will also be making an appearance. Puerto Rico’s new sensation and WBO super-bantamweight champion Juan Manuel Lopez, will be the only man defending a world title on December 6th, and there is a good chance the southpaw banger will steal the show from welterweights De La Hoya and “Pac-Man..”
In years, or even months, to come, the unbeaten 25-year-old who has amassed 21 thrilling KO’s in winning all 23 of his pro bouts, may be the main attraction on many a huge bill. This Saturday, a notch or three below main event status, Lopez will be doing his stuff against a pretty good fighter anyway. Taking on Argentina’s Sergio Manuel Medina, a man who has never been stopped, Lopez faces a decent test.
Nicknamed “Rocky,” the 26-year-old who is 33-1(18) has boxed primarily in his home country, and his only trip to the US (Vegas, to be exact) saw him lose, but Medina has won his last five since being out-pointed by Rey Bautista in May of last year. Also, having taken on puncher Bautista on the under-card of De La Hoya-Floyd Mayweather, the Argentine will not be in any way overawed in facing Lopez on such a big show on Saturday.
Having said all that, December 6th’s bout will see only one winner – and I’m not talking about Oscar De La Hoya! “Juanma” may not be the star attraction yet, but he looks like being so one day. As such, he will not allow Medina, no matter how tough and game he is, to spoil his future on Saturday night. The arena may not even be full when the lethal southpaw enters the ring, but the real fans will have taken their seat for bell one of the possible future legend’s appearance.
Exciting each and every time out – the man who utterly destroyed Mexico’s Daniel Ponce de Leon in one round to take the WBO 122-pound belt, and who has seen off five of his last six opponents in three rounds or less – Lopez will likely thrill again at the week end.
Look for “Juanma” to score his 22nd KO, at The MGM Grand, in around 4 or 5 rounds – leaving De La Hoya and Pacquiao to have to go some to make sure their’s is the most memorable fight of the night!