Juan Manuel Lopez: Another Bautista for Ponce De Leon?

[amat]

Rey Bautista just plain wasn't ready for Ponce De Leon. I was very unimpressed with Bautista in his fight on the PBF - DLH undercard, you could tell he hadn't learned how to use the ring yet, didn't know how to space his punches or how to hold distance from a dangerous opponent and PDL simply exposed this. No surprises there.

Juan Manuel Lopez is ready for this type of step up. He has been ready for a while. You wouldn't ideally like to see him fight a guy who's power ranks with the best P4P in boxing, but that's who represents a step up in that division so Lopez is just going to have to get around that power.

I think he will. It's going to be tough and is a bit scary seeing as how Lopez is a naturally aggressive guy and De Leon is the last guy you want to be overly aggressive with but if anyone has the tools to do it, it's Lopez. Very sharp, has a hugely diverse punch arsenal, mixes up his combos, always has his opponents at the end of his straight punches, especially that straight left hand and he has an impressive body attack to boot.

I'd say his only real weakness at this point is he knows how good he is, and sometimes he gets a bit careless and doesn't show much respect for his opponent in terms of protecting himself, that's gotten him caught flush before. I would think that wouldn't be a problem in this fight.

This is going to be one to watch, it's one punch to end it for Ponce De Leon and Lopez, in order to win, can't make any mistakes. That sounds like a tall order but I haven't yet seen Lopez and not been floored.

Two electrifying fighters. No doubt Ponce De Leon is going to be looking to send yet another message, and I'm sure the fact that people are picking Lopez will light a fire under him. Can't wait for this.

At any rate, no matter the outcome, Lopez is not another Bautista. Lopez is special.

[Violent Demise]

I agree Lopez is a better fighter than Bautista. But he's not a good enough boxer to avoid De Leon shots all night. I think De Leon stops him in 5.

[yoitsdan]

I've been following Juan Manuel Lopez for years he's a bloody good fighter, right handed southpaw, rangy and a great combination puncher, the southpaw v southpaw match up could be all wrong for De Leon. I'm backing him. Caballero was all wrong for De Leon and although he is extremely different he could take a lot of tips from that fight and use them himself.

[OumaFan]

I've seen the comparison before and I don't agree, like I said on another post before Bautista most likely was never gonna be ready. It might be too early for JuanMa but I'm thinking lately it won't be, that could be wishful thinking but I think he could come out of it looking like a future star. We'll see I guess.

[Puerto Rican Punch]

I believe the key to victory for Juanma is to remain calm, not starting crazy exchanges early, counter puncher with his short right hook (very potent, hard to see). The ones that are saying that Juanma only has power going forward have not seen him winning by KO with that right hook.

Honestly, initially I believed that it was too early for Juanma, and that he needed 2 or 3 more fights and it may be heart is cheating on me, but I believe he can win.