San Juan, P.R.-Undefeated titlists Juan Manuel López and Yuriorkis Gamboa were present yesterday to promote their respective October 10 bouts at the Madison Square Garden Arena in New York City. The card will also feature undefeated Cuban heavyweight Odlanier Solis and also undefeated super welterweight Vanes Martirosyan.
Jaunma López (26-0, 24KO’s) will defend his WBO Jr. Featherweight title against tough but somewhat unaccomplished Rogers Mtagwa (26-12-2, 18KO’s) of Tanzania. López showed respect for his opponent citing the fight against Tomas Villa as a testament to his toughness. Still, it appeared as if López as well as most of the media was looking past this bout and into future fights. When asked about these upcoming bouts López quickly mentioned Panamanian IBF and WBA titlist Celestino Caballero as a very possible fight and a fight he would like. About Cabalelro, Juanma expressed his desire to beat the belt holder for all Puerto Ricans.
Mtagwa said very little but his manager, Joe Parello made statements and answered questions for the press. Most of the questions made regarded Mtagwa’s chances and what made him deserve the title shot. About this, Parello indicated that his fighter has never ducked anyone and cited the most famous names on his fighter’s record which includes losses against fighters such as Martin Honorio, Agapito Sánchez, Orlando Salido and Billy Dib and his tenth round KO victory over Tomas Villa.
Gamboa on his turn expressed his confidence in victory against Whyber Garcia (22-6, 15KO’s) of Panama City, Panama and his desire to fight the best at the division. This included a possible future match up against Juanma who said it was no secret he was moving up to 126 next year. 15rounds.com asked the former Olympian Champion what he missed the most about his homeland and the young champion was quick to point out he misses the warmth of a homecoming welcome after a victory.
The card billed as “Island Warriors” will be presented live on Pay-Per-View and will include four televised bouts. Opening the transmission will be former US Olympian Vanes Martirosyan (25-0, 16KO’s) of Glendale, Ca. against Brazilian Carlos Nascimento (24-1, 20KO’s) followed by former Cuban Olympian and WBC #7 rated Odlanier Solis fighting against WBC, WBA, and WBO top ten rated Kevin Johnson. Both fights are set for ten rounds.
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