In an earlier news report on krikya360.com, former champion Juan Manuel Lopez issued a public apology to referee Roberto Ramirez. After Lopez was stopped in the tenth round of Saturday's rematch with WBO featherweight champion Orlando Salido, which took place in San Juan - Lopez called Ramirez "a gambler" and claimed the referee had a "gambling problem."

Juan Manuel "Juanma" Lopez - ";For my part I apologize to Roberto [Ramirez] for comments I had made after the fight with Salido. Roberto is one of the best referees in the world, he did a great job, and I appreciate that I was protected because I was definitely hurt. Everyone knows how much I trained for this fight, all of the sacrifices that I made, because I wanted to give a big win to Puerto Rico and perhaps the frustration of failing in my country [caused the comments], and again I want to praise Roberto for his work."

Speaking to Luis Santiago, Ramirez rejected Juanma's apology.

Roberto Ramirez - "Excuses only satisfy those who say them. I heard the words of 'Juanma' [after the fight] and the arrogance with which he massacred my honesty... I have already [been involved in] 184 world title fights and this is the first time a person puts into question my honesty and my integrity," added the experienced boxing official. "I'm very upset...but to say that I gamble is attacking my integrity and my family."