Featured on Mayweather vs. Ortiz Undercard!

Now that we’re already into the month of September, the final countdown is here for the anticipated “Star Power: Mayweather vs. Ortiz” showdown taking place at the MGM Grand in Las Vegas on September 17. Featured on the undercard of this dual-site mammoth event will be two young junior welterweights who will share the spotlight as they face off while opening up the HBO PPV card.

Josesito Lopez (29-3, 17 KOs) will square off against the unbeaten Jessie Vargas (16-0, 9 KOs) in a scheduled ten rounds.

There’s a lot at stake for both the 27-year-old Lopez, an NABF Light Welterweight Champion, and Vargas, a much-heralded 22-year-old rising star who trains in Vegas. Jessie is currently trained by Roberto Alcazar (best known as Oscar De La Hoya’s longtime trainer). Last month the Lopez–Vargas clash was officially announced at the historic Olvera Street, where both boxers stated they plan on getting the victory.

I caught up again with Josesito Lopez at a recent fight night in Corona. Jose’s promoter Ken Thompson, of Thompson Boxing Promotions, hosted this card and Lopez was also there in support of his trainer Henry Ramirez, stablemate Roberto Crespo, sparring partner Artemio Reyes Jr., and fellow fighters (and new pros) Richard Contreras and Daniel Franco.

We talked about his summer trip to Atlantic City with his trainer and another one of his stablemates, heavyweight Chris Arreola, of the “New Blood” matches we’d be seeing that night, and his training at the II Feathers Gym in Riverside. And of course, we had plenty of time to discuss his September 17 clash versus Vargas, a 2008 Mexican Olympian and former protégé of Roger Mayweather.

Speaking of the Mayweathers, while festering bad blood recently boiled over between Floyd Mayweather Jr. and his father Floyd Mayweather Sr. in HBO’s “24/7” episode, Lopez is the exact opposite in not being a venom-spewing controversial boxer.

While we chat, he mentions right off the bat how grateful he is to both his mom and dad and to his promoters too (Jose is co-promoted by Goossen Tutor Promotions). With his clean-cut good looks and lack of any scandalous behavior attached to this slugger, the always-polite Josesito can arguably be called a wholesome boxer, if any pugilist could really be described as “wholesome.” He is close to his family and siblings (he dotes on kid brother, Victor) and even has “Mom” (with a red heart) on his boxing trunks. Lopez also has a large group of friends and extended family, and on September 1 the appreciative boxer had a special workout for these loyal supporters who have followed his pro career since 2003.

Now the Riverside fighter is riding a three-year streak of victories. Along the way, he’s collected a few titles including his NABF strap, a WBC Continental Americas Lightweight title, a couple of WBC youth championships, and more.

Friendly and humble outside the ring, don’t let this cool demeanor fool you. Looks can be deceiving as an aggressive and fierce Lopez turns it up to major “beast mode” on full blast the minute he steps through the ropes. He may have surprised many when he defeated the previously undefeated Mike Dallas Jr. in their collision this past January. Now his September 17 scrap against Vargas will be Lopez’s first return to the canvas since his KO win over Dallas.

“How’s training camp going? You look like you’re at weight already,” is one of my first inquiries for Lopez, who’s looking lean and fit at this early juncture.

“Yeah, my weight is great. Training is coming along great,” he replies, smiling. “I’ve never been in such great shape this early; it’s new to me!”

“What’s been the difference in this camp?” I ask.

“We’ve been working hard in the gym with Henry. I’ve also been working with Herb Larkins for strength and conditioning,” Jose says. “We do interval training, running and ‘TRX’ training where you use your own body weight. I think that it’s made a big difference. And I also work with him with meals, vitamins and nutrition too.”

He expresses that the camp has really been his best yet. “So you are ready for September 17?” I say.

“Yes! I’m in the best shape ever–for the biggest fight ever,” nods Lopez. “I can’t really give away too much of my game plan but I just couldn’t be happier with how everything’s going.” Lopez tells me he’s had great sparring with Artemio Reyes Jr. and Roberto Crespo, among others.

“Have you watched a lot of tapes on Vargas?” is my next question. “And what are you expecting in this fight?”

“I think he’s tough…I can’t say HOW tough…but we’re expecting our toughest fight yet,” Lopez assesses. “But we won’t really know until we get in there. And then it’s all up to me.”

As we continue to chat, Jose and his team are putting the finishing touches on his upcoming bout. Lopez mentioned that he was going to be picking out his trunks to wear in the fight. “Are you gonna go for Laker purple and gold?” I suggest to Jose, who I know is a huge L.A. Lakers fan and has sported purple boxing trunks in the past.

He laughs and says he was going to choose everything that week, a fun perk of being a professional prizefighter.

“Ernie from Everlast has been great,” Lopez enthused. “He’s been taking care of me for a couple of years now. With the gloves, boots, trunks…I really appreciate them. But I will pick out the trunks this week.”

Fans will just have to wait till September 17 when Josesito unveils his new trunks for his collision against Vargas on the undercard of the return of Mayweather.

“Star Power: Mayweather vs. Ortiz” is promoted by Mayweather Promotions and Golden Boy Promotions and while Vargas vs. Lopez takes place in Vegas, Staples Center in L.A. will host a dual-feed with Canelo Alvarez vs. Alfonso Gomez as the main event. Looks like September 17 will be bursting with star power–and firepower–inside the squared circle.

I think both Lopez and Vargas are ready for an even bigger taste of stardom on the horizon with a growing fan base for the two. At August’s press conference, both punchers had their fair share of female admirers waiting to pose with the boxers or get an autograph from the rising stars.

Ready and waiting for September 17, Josesito Lopez says it will be a great show.

His promoter Ken Thompson more than agrees. “This fight could ‘steal the show’! Both are out to prove themselves,” the Hall of Fame promoter told me last month. “Josesito is slick, fast and exciting–and he’s #8 in the world.” And Thompson thinks this is just the beginning for his talented fighter.

Looking to continue his rise in the rankings, Josesito Lopez plans on showing the world what he can do on September 17 in his encounter against the Jessie Vargas, who’s kept a perfect ledger thus far.

With these two warriors, it will be bombs away in their upcoming clash.
May the best man win.

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Photos by Michele Chong/ Ring Photo by Marlene Marquez