DAMN! Is it already signed? In the case of Celestino Caballero, he does'nt have to pay the percentage of my marketshare to each of the three organizations (IBF,WBO, and WBA). It's better for me to remain fighting against opponents who are ranked by the WBO." This is Juanma excuse for not fighting him. Many Puerto Ricans are turning on him saying he is ducking him. THOUGHTS?
.... that came from the same article that says he is fighting Mtagwa. it does appear he will be fighting Mtagwa.
Who at 122 doesn't duck Caballero? Who would want to fight him? He's a night-mare. If you get close to him he holds you like a python and hits you at the same time. If you stay outside, he picks you apart with his height and then moves in for the kill. He's a freak of nature at 122. It won't surprise me one bit to see Lopez and Arum hold out as long as they can, knowing the Caballero will probably end up at light-weight before we know it.
I see your point but Lopez is getting a shit load of heat from the Puerto Rican fans. I was actually stunned on the amount of Puerto Ricans calling Lopez a bitch for ducking this guy. One thing is for sure, We are loyal fans but we can also flip it and turn our backs on our fighters. Lopez has no choice to to fight this guy or else.
Well it looks like Juanma's camp is willing to look at Celestino's offer since they have not signed yet for the Mtagwa bout (a mandatory defense ordered by the WBO). His trainer said that if they can get a great purse and have television networks involved it can happen!:hammert: http://www.boxingscene.com/?m=show&id=21056
I have a feeling Arum will not let this fight happen. With the same ol excuse that nobody knows who Caballero is. Too much risk and too little reward. There is a reason Lopez's camp has been targeting Vazquez instead. It's a more winnable fight for him and probably more money. But I like Caballero's attitude in putting pressure on Lopez and his camp to make this fight.
The people who know who JuanMa is know who Caballero is. If Arum pulls his shit that nobody knows who Caballero is, he's full of shit. Guess what Arum? He beat De Leon long before your fighter ever did. Still, Caballero is a bit of a stinker against aggressive fighters. So if they do fight, I'll definitely be rooting for Lopez who has probably the most fan-friendly style in boxing right now.
I have no doubt that Caballero will be Juanma's toughest opponent, but I am also sure that Juanma will still score a KO win. Caballero is highly overrated.
Boxrec's computer formula has Caballero rated #27. Fightnews has Caballero rated #2 in his weight class behind Juanma. Rafael rated him #18 p4p in May. Caballero has 2 belts. He's beaten some very high quality guys convincingly, such as Molitor and Ponce, and he's had some mediocre performances against lesser guys. I think he's underrated and probably belongs in the top 15 p4p and maybe top 10. Of course, I rate Juanma very highly so I'd pick him over Caballero, but with not so much confidence.
Caballero looked like shyte when he finally got a TV date on cable (Showtime) against Lacierva. Interestingly, his last fight he won by split decision IN Panama. And he is getting old for his weight class - I can't believe it but he's 33. He may not move up afterall. I think Lopez/Caballero actually has the potential to be a boring fight. I can imagine Lopez trying to get close and Caballero tieing him up immediately.
Juanma's victories over Ponce DeLeon & Peñalosa were more impressive than Caballero's victories over Ponce & Molitor.
Penalosa is junk and I already admitted that I'd pick Juanma. mY disagreement is in you saying how vastly overrated Caballero is. Imo, he's not.
