Juan Manuel Lopez Should Stay Well Clear of Yuriorkis Gamboa

This weekend we will see rising Puerto Rican pugilist Juan Manuel Lopez defend his WBO featherweight title against Bernabe Concepcion. It will be the 29th time that he steps into the ring, having amassed a perfect professional record to date, with 25 of his 28 victories coming by way of knockout.

Impressive, to say the least.

Saturday night should see another comfortable victory for Lopez. Though a decent fighter in his own right, Concepcion is not in the same class as his opponent and will be no match for his superior skills.  

Despite what his record might suggest, Lopez is more than just a KO artist. He is a technically sound boxer, with a tight defense, good speed and punching power to boot.

Many believe that "Juanma" has the ability to follow in the footsteps of compatriot Miguel Cotto, and become the next boxing superstar from Puerto Rico. It would seem, on the surface, that Lopez has all the ingredients to do just that.

It is clear that Top Rank Promotions, with whom Lopez is signed, share that view and have high hopes for its starlet.

Top Rank's Vice President of Operations set forth its intentions for the featherweight champion in an interview with RingTV.com: 

"Our goal is to have Lopez follow Felix Trinidad and Miguel Cotto as the next Puerto Rican star in America.  We want him to be able to attract Puerto Rican fans in New York City, Atlantic City, Miami, and even in Las Vegas for the right fight."

The fight that Lopez will most likely take in the near future will be against Cuban amateur sensation Yuriokis Gamboa.  

However, it will not be the right fight for him.

Gamboa only made his professional debut in mid-2007, and since then has already clubbed his way through 18 opponents. He has a frightening combination of speed, ring generalship and, most importantly, raw power.

He and Lopez have been on a collision course for some time now. They have appeared on a number of the same cards, and despite Gamboa having started his career out as a super-featherweight, now find themselves as beltholders in the same division.

Add to that the fact that the Cuban is also promoted by Top Rank, and it is clear that a showdown between the two men is inevitable.

It is definitely a fight that will get the juices flowing. They are, without a doubt, two exceptional talents, and their styles will make for an exciting spectacle.

The fight will also spell bad news for Lopez. I cannot see him being able to cope with Gamboa's speed and power. Quite simply, he is an absolute beast.

I have been unbelievably impressed with what I have seen of Gamboa so far. He is still a bit green, and has been dropped a few times. But I can't see any fighter, even up to the lightweight division, being able to combat his skills.

Granted, I am anything but a boxing expert. So if you don't believe me, and I wouldn't blame you, then just check out this video of him destroying Rogers Mtagwa, a fighter who went the distance with Lopez.

I really do believe that Gamboa is something special, and will completely destroy Lopez when they do finally meet inside the ring.  

Bob Arum should think long and hard before letting his next Miguel Cotto step into the ring with this Cuban animal.

He will be chewed up.