Juan Manuel Lopez vs Jayson Velez Preview March 3rd
There’s a big all-Puerto Rican showdown set for this Saturday, March 3rd as Juan Manuel Lopez will be taking on Jayson Velez in a 12-round junior lightweight bout at the Coliseo Mario ‘Quijote’ Morales in Guaynabo. This bout was originally scheduled for last September, but was postponed due to the hurricane damage suffered in the small island nation of Puerto Rico. Lopez hasn’t fought for well over a year since stopping Wilfredo Vazquez in the 11th round in October of 2016. Velez’s last outing was on August 7th of last year when he beat Giovanni Caro by fifth-round KO.
Lopez vs Velez Betting Odds
Here are the winner odds from online sportsbook 5dimes.eu
- Jayson Velez +185
- Juan Manuel Lopez -265
My Pick
The 34-year-old Lopez enters the contest with a record of 35-5 with 32 Kos. He’s was out of action for almost a year due to a suspension following a brawl with Vazquez’s trainer after his last bout. He was a fine boxer in his prime with a lot of power, but seemed to lose the ability to take a punch almost overnight and he’s been stopped in all five of his losses. However, he did do well against Vazquez, especially considering he’d been out of the ring for two years following three defeats in his previous four fights.
Lopez is a former featherweight champion and a southpaw. It’s obvious he possesses a lot of power since his knockout ratio is currently 80 per cent. However, if he doesn’t knock his opponent out there’s a good chance he’s going to be knocked out. He stands just over 5-feet-5-inches tall with a 70-inch reach. Lopez has boxed 180 rounds since turning pro in 2005 and is a former two-division world champ. He’s been stopped by Jesus Andres Cuellar, Francisco Vargas, Mikey Garcia and Orlando Salido twice.
The biggest wins for Lopez have been against Vazquez, Jonathan Oquendo, Daniel Ponce De Leon, Gerry Penalosa, Sergio Medina, Steve Luevano and Rafael Marquez. He has a lot of experience against tough opponents, but the ring rust and weak chin definitely won’t help him. His opponent Jayson Velez is 29 years old and he climbs through the ropes with a mark of 25-4-1 with 17 Kos. He has a three-inch height advantage as he’s just over 5-feet-8-inches tall, but has the same 70-inch reach as Lopez.
Velez is a fan-friendly fighter with good power and should try to use height advantage as well as catch the former champion with fast combinations to both the body and head whenever he gets within range. Velez will need to make sure he doesn’t go into the fight looking to end it with one punch though and needs to be wary of Lopez’s power. If Lopez can handle Velez’s power then he needs something to fall back on. As for Velez’s power, his current knockout ratio is 57 per cent.
Velez turned pro in 2007 and has 168 rounds under his belt. He’s been beaten by Alfredo Santiago, Rene Alvarado, Joseph Diaz and Ronny Rios, all by decision. His lone draw came in an IBF World Featherweight title fight against former champ Evgeny Gradovich back in November of 2014. Velez has a fine chin and has never been stopped. His biggest wins have been against Alberto Mercado, Miguel Soto, Salvador Sanchez and Dat Nguyen.
Prediction…
This fight will come down to chins and power. If Lopez can’t take a punch anymore then he’s in trouble, but if his chin stands up then I look for him to win. Going by his last fight against Vazquez, I’d go with Lopez.
If Lopez still has a chin he wins.
Play Lopez -265 @ 5dimes.eu
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Jayson Velez betting • Juan Manuel Lopez betting