Unlike Fabricio Werdum’s very very brief skirmish with Edmond Tarverdyan at UFC 203, there will be punishment coming for Juan Manuel Lopez (40-5, 35 KOs) and trainer Albert Rivera.
Last Saturday, the former junior featherweight and featherweight champion knocked out fellow Puerto Rican Wilfredo Vazquez Jr. in San Juan, but evidently it was the first of two fights that night for JuanMa. Immediately following the 11th round stoppage, Lopez charged at Vazquez’s trainer and they traded punches for several seconds before the brawl was broken up. Rivera landed a hell of a left hook that put Lopez on the ropes, for what it’s worth. Here’s video of the incident.
Puerto Rico’s Boxing Commission was decidedly not happy about this melee, and punishment is on the way for both men, per RingTV.com.
“Both Lopez and Rivera will soon be suspended pending a hearing by the Puerto Rico Boxing Commission for their brief melee, Gaby Penagaricano, who advised Black Tiger Promotions for Saturday’s card, told RingTV.com. While Lopez and Rivera have not yet been formally notified of their suspensions, Penagaricano said the paperwork should be arriving ‘any moment.’”
Lopez and the Puerto Rican commission are quite familiar with each other, as the 33-year-old was once fined and suspended for criticizing referee Roberto Ramirez Sr. for what he believed was a premature stoppage of his 2nd knockout loss to Orlando Salido. JuanMa accused Ramirez Sr. of having “gambling issues,” and later issued an apology for making that statement.
Even with the win against Vazquez Jr, Lopez is just 2-3 in his last 5, having sharply fallen off from top form, with all of his losses coming by knockout within 4 rounds.
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