Juan Manuel Lopez and Rafael Marquez Talk

Puerto Rican superstar and WBO featherweight world champ Juan Manuel Lopez and Mexican legend and future Hall of Famer Rafael Marquez participated in an international media conference call on Monday to discuss their upcoming rivalry fight on Saturday, Nov. 6, LIVE on SHOWTIME® from the MGM Grand Garden Arena in Las Vegas.

One of boxing’s fastest rising stars, Lopez (29-0, 26 KOs), of Caguas, Puerto Rico, will attempt to make the third defense of his WBO crown. The 27-year-old champion has registered an astounding 26 knockouts in 29 professional fights. The power-punching southpaw will now face the toughest and most important test of his career in Marquez, a battle-tested great with a relentless desire to win at all costs.

Marquez (39-5, 35 KOs), of México City, a former IBF bantamweight (118) champion, cemented himself in boxing lore when he moved up to 122 pounds to take on Israel Vazquez in what became an unforgettable four-fight series that saw each warrior win a pair of battles. The 35-year-old is coming off a third-round knockout of Vazquez in the final installment of the series in only his second fight at featherweight (126). Now, he’ll take on the younger Lopez at 126 pounds in a quest for a world title in his third division.

In the co-feature, world-ranked contender Allan Green will face veteran contender and former world champ Glen Johnson in a must-win Super Six World Boxing Classic bout. The winner of the 12-rounder will earn a spot in the tournament Semifinals.

Here’s what the fighters had to say on Monday.

JUAN MANUEL LOPEZ:

“I’m really looking forward to the fight. It’s going to be a great fight for the fans and I’m looking forward to getting in the ring.

“On paper this looks like my toughest fight. The (Rogers) Mtagwa didn’t look like it was the toughest fight but it turned out to be my toughest fight I had. So you can’t really speculate on that. All you can do is prepare yourself very well. You have to be in the best condition to fight this type of fighter.

“I’m very humbled when people compare me to Felix Trinidad. You know he’s my idol and now my good friend. Any comparison you give me to him inside the ring or outside I will take. I’m happy to take comparisons with me and Felix.”

On Rafael Marquez:

“Without a doubt I know he’s coming to prove himself that he’s still at the same level as he’s always been. I’m out to prove that I’m at the same level that’s he’s at. I think the fans are going to be real excited about this fight and I can’t see how it will not be a good fight. We both have a lot to prove and we’re willing to give up everything in the ring.”

On the Puerto Rico vs. Mexico matchup?

“I don’t want to put extra pressure on me but I understand the tradition of Puerto Rico fighters fighting against boxers from Mexico. I think Puerto Ricans expect a lot from me and I hope to give them the best fight that I can. And I know he’s going to give all he can and it’s going to be another great fight for the rivalry.”

You have only fought just nine rounds in the last 13 months. How will that affect your preparation?

“I don’t put too much stock in that. I know I prepare myself well for 12 rounds every time out. So the preparation is always the same. I try to be in the best shape possible.”

What concerns you most about Marquez?

“We are very aware of what he can do. He’s a tremendous fighter and he has a lot of skills. And I know he wants to win just as bad as I do. I know just how dangerous he is.

“I expect the fight to end in a knockout but I don’t expect it to end early. I think it will be a long fight and I will end it with a knockout but late. I think we both have the power to knock each other out. As long as it lasts it’s going to be a war.

“I just have to box intelligent. I just have to box smart when I get in there. If I need to box, I’ll box. If I need to fight, I’ll fight. But you’re definitely going to see a war. We’re both going to exchange a lot of punches.

“These are the kinds of fights I need to prove myself.

“I think he’s going to be very aggressive. He’ll come at me. I also feel like they want to get me to the late rounds. They think I’m going to get tired and I’m not going to be able to fight 12 rounds at the same pace like he will. We’ll just have to see what type of guy they get: If they get that real aggressive guy or if they get the guy who is going to counter.

“My expectations are that it will be a fight of the year candidate. I know we’re both going to go for it and try to win it. I hope no one misses this fight because it’s going to be one of the best ones of the year.”

RAFAEL MARQUEZ:

“My injury is fine. It was tough to have to suspend the fight but my preparation never stopped. I’ve been running and doing other things just not hitting anything. I’m very well prepared. This fight is important and I think it will be a great fight.

“I wouldn’t compare (Lopez) to anyone really. If I had to pick a level of fighter I would probably put him at the level of a Tim Austin or a Mark Johnson, two very good lefthanders that I have fought in the past. He probably has a little bit more power than those two but they were both great fighters when I fought them. That’s who I would compare him to since they’re both lefthanded and have quick hands.

“It’s going to be a real tough fight. I’m going to give the fans the best fight that I can and, of course, all the fans watching on SHOWTIME.”

“It’s very important being Puerto Rico versus Mexico. It’s probably the most important fight of my career. I haven’t fought too many Puerto Ricans at the level that I’m fighting this fight. This guy is very intelligent and he knows what he’s doing in the ring. It’s so important I don’t leave any stones unturned because I know how important this fight is.”

What do you say to people who say you might not have much left at age 35?

“I tell them that they’re wrong. As long as you take care of yourself and as long as you prepare well for a fight that shouldn’t be any problem. I think my brother proved it against Juan Diaz, who was 10 years younger than him. I’ve always taken care of myself and I think I have a lot left to give. I think that age doesn’t matter. I don’t see that as a problem. I really don’t.”

Do you expect a long fight?

“It could actually go either way. We’re both so powerful that it could end earlier than late because of our power.

“This is one of the biggest fights you will ever see in the lower weight divisions. We both have a lot to prove and the fans are going to enjoy it. I’m looking forward to giving the fans another great fight.

“I don’t see him being a lefthander as that much of a problem. Obviously you don’t fight that many lefthanders at the championship level. But I’ve never had any problems with it. I don’t see it as a big problem. You have to be at your best to fight any guys at this level.

“I’m ready for whatever he decides to bring. If he wants to exchange, I’ll exchange. If he wants to box, I’ll box. I just think when you fight a fighter who is a really great fighter it’s a huge motivator to get better and fight the best fight that I can.

“I’ve seen some of the videotape on him. I see how strong and powerful he is, but I also see his weaknesses. I see that he has a weak chin. So we have to take advantage of that and put our punches together and use a lot of combinations. I have to use all of my experience and all of my power and all my intelligence in the ring to get to him. It’s a winnable fight, no question. I can win this fight. I just have to be smart enough to know what to do in there. I can’t be reckless.

“This is a very important fight. If you can’t make it to Vegas then be sure to tune in on SHOWTIME because it’s going to be a war.”