Juanma Lopez: "Great champions Comeback From Defeat"
lunes, 18 de abril de 2011
01:38 p.m.
Carlos González / Primera Hora
01:38 p.m.
Carlos González / Primera Hora
Juan Manuel López feels his loss to Orlando Salido on Saturday left him mired in frustration and had now to figure out the best route that allows him to get his career on track and regain focus.
From the momentheI became world champion at 122 pounds in June 2008, Lopez was on top of the world. Then, he became one of the most revered sports figures of the country. But last Saturday, Juanma suffered the first defeat of his career via technical knockout against Mexican Salido, what came to be the highlight in a period of several months full of personal conflicts, led by the divorce of his wife Barbara de Jesus and professional problems.
Yesterday, the former champion spoke with Primera Hora on the outcome of the fight against Salido, the impact on his personal life and his future plans.
Primera Hora: In recent months, there have been countless situations in your professional and personal life. Do you feel you've hit bottom?
"I'm a little frustrated at having failed my people, to the public. I did not want to lose. I was up, now I'm a bit down, but I have no doubt that I will revindicate my self in the rematch (against Salido). We look at all factors and determine what caused the defeat. "What specific changes do you think you have to do in your preparation?
"This time, the speed failed me. I was right all the time dominated the sparring sessions were it was about 160 rounds. Something I had never done was to train for four straight months and perhaps training for so long was one of the faults. On fight night I didnt felt my legs and tried to box the best I could.
I was dominating the early rounds, but then the fight became somewhat violent. I tried to capitalize, but could not. I tried to avoid at all times the right hand (of Salinas), but with that hand was the he got me with. I felt slow, not easy, very static in the ring and that whas not what we train for. "
What did you learn your first defeat as a professional?
"Right now I can not say with certainty what was what I learned because I have not seen the fight. Personally, I feel assured that the public has supported me. (I'm) glad and happy because I made a big fight yet to give a good show to the public, but also a little frustrated for having failed, disappointed them. "
How you have received criticism after the match?
"Quiet. I think we should hear the good and bad. That's what you learn from. I'm not a $ 100 bill to be liked by everybody. I'm not the first nor the last to lose a fight. The great champions like Muhammad Ali, Manny Pacquiao, Miguel Cotto and Felix Trinidad have their defeats. It is about learning and getting up. It's just a setback. I thought that the day I lost a fight I would feel more frustrated, but on the contrary, I am calm and I know I'll do a better job (in the future). "
Are you going to avoid gaining too much weight when you're training for a fight?
"Sure. What happened is that before this I made many trips. Bob Arum said that I had climbed to 170 pounds when I never got to that weight. You have to understand that maybe Arum is frustrated. He did not expect me to lose, many plans were disrupted and then the emotion of the moment made him say those things.
That night I just didnt felt well, not that it can not make adjustments. The speed was gone and the legs were not there. I'm quite calm, my contract is with him (Arum) and we are considering training outside Puerto Rico (for training). "
Were you really ready physically and mentally to face Salido?
"Yes. I Warmed in the dressing room , but when I sat down after the first assault, I told my corner that I did not feel well, I did not feel the speed in my hands. "
At some point there was talk of the possibility to postpone the fight while solving your personal affairs ...
"My personal issues were not to do (with the defeat). All the time I was concentrated and I will address these issues. We put a stop to divorce so I could concentrate on the fight. "
Will you discuss the possibility of changes in the corner or integrate other people?
"It's something to be discussed later. (But) I keep working my corner. It's about giving my team the opportunity to make adjustments, I have a professional (to me) team and I know it will be made (changes). "Of all calls or messages you've received since Saturday, is there one that stands out?
"My friends do not have bothered me so much with calls, but with text messages, maybe they're giving me a space. They all told me that the road will do much better now, because you learn more when you lose that when you win. The great champions rise from the defeats. "
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