LAS VEGAS – In a gambling Mecca full of whispered tips and inside information, there’s talk that Juan Manuel Lopez is worried. Only a fool wouldn’t be.
Lopez’ advertised potential as the face of boxing’s next generation of stars is about to be tested as it never has Saturday night at the MGM Grand in a dangerous encounter with one of the masters of the reigning generation. Rafael Marquez stands in his way, perhaps as formidable as ever and still feared by many.
There was no sign of fear in JuanMa at the weigh-in Friday or the final news conference Thursday. His charisma is as powerful as his punch. It knocks out everything else, including any hints of self-doubt.
He and Marquez left no doubt they were ready for the Showtime-televised clash Friday when stepping onto the official scale, both at 125.5 pounds, a half-pound under the featherweight division’s limit. They posed. They stared. The weigh-in ritual didn’t include a single blink or smile. Only potential fury waits in a fight that will result in more punches and fewer headlines than anything produced by jockeys Calvin Borel and Javier Castellano Friday in a Breeders Cup brawl at Churchill Downs.
But there were a couple of words Thursday, mostly from Lopez, who is defending his World Boxing Organization title. Marquez has seen film of Lopez, down in the opening round against Bernabe Concepcion, who will never be confused with Marquez. For the deliberate Marquez, that moment represents a weakness that has seen and exploited often. He mentioned it and Lopez countered.
“I read that the team of Rafael Marquez said that I have no chin,’’ said Lopez (29-0, 26 KOs), a 27-year-old Puerto Rican. “But the one who is undefeated is me. I know he has won a few fights by knockout, but on Saturday night you’ll see who really can take a punch and who can’t.’’
Lopez suggested that Marquez promoter Gary Shaw annoyed him by saying he had to prove himself against the 35-year-old Mexican (39-5, 35 KOs), who is the brother of better-known Juan Manuel Marquez.
“Shaw told me: ‘If you’re so good how come you don’t fight Rafael,’ ‘’ Lopez said. “I’m so good I’m going to beat Rafael Marquez on Saturday.”
The 35-year-old Marquez sounded as if he has experienced enough, learned more than enough, to withstand any storm.
“I will show that I can beat anyone at any point in their career,’’ said Marquez, whose bruising series with Israel Vazquez has left some wondering if he there is anything left of the brilliant bantamweight he was in his prime. “Experience and talent will beat youth. …Hard work and preparation will beat youth anytime.’’
Although there were no surprises on the scale from either Lopez or Marquez, there were a couple from super-middleweights Allan Green and Glen Johnson, tournament subs who will fight for a chance to advance to the semifinals of the shuffled Super Six.
Glen Johnson, who has been campaigning at light-heavyweight (175) for years, easily made the weight at 167, one pound under the 168 limit.
“I thought making the weight would be more difficult,’’ Johnson said. “I was at weight two weeks ago, so that was surprising.’’
In making weight, trainer Orlando Cuellar said Johnson might have learned something that could have worked a few years ago.
“I know a lot of people were concerned if he could make ‘68, much less be effective at ’68,’’ Cuellar said. “I guess you all get to find out Saturday. But if it is any indication what he has done at the gym I think he is faster, lighter on his feet. I think we discovered that maybe he should have been at this weight a few fights back.’’
For Green, the weigh-in wasn’t so easy. He was a half-pound too heavy in his first trip to the scale. In a quick strip-tease, Green stepped behind a blanket, took off his shorts and made the mandatory 168.
Photo by Chris Farina / Top Rank
