The former double world champion Juan Manuel “Juanma” Lopez will return to the ring in the coming months thanks to the Secretary of the Department of Sports (DRD), Henry Neumann, who lifted the suspension against him – which ran until March 2013.
“Juanma Lopez can get on with his boxing career starting today,” Neumann said during a press conference held at the premises of the Training Center of the DRD Santini.
Lopez was suspended after making defamatory comments about Rerees Roberto Ramirez Sr. and Jr. after his defeat last March against Mexican Orlando Salido in Bayamón.
Lopez (31-2, 28 KOs), 29, was the champion at super bantamweight (122 pounds) and featherweight (126 pounds) under the World Boxing Organization (WBO).
“I thank the Secretary (Neumann), the Commission, my promoter, Peter Rivera, who has always been with me, Orlando Piñero and Alex Caraballo and my team, but I also want to thank Roberto Ramirez Jr . and Roberto Ramirez Sr., whom I must say that I learned a lot from and I feel great to be returning to the ring to continue my career. Because this is my sport, but it’s also my job, and I am dedicated and thereby need to support my family. Thanks to all who have helped me, “said Lopez, who again showed remorse for the comments made in March.
“We are working hard, training really hard for my return to the ring. I saw in the press that they are talking about a fight on January 19 against Papito (Wilfredo) Vasquez, but they need to reach an agreement on the weight and I’ll fight him (Vazquez Jr.) or anyone else. I’m willing to fight anybody.”
