By Tom David Drury: All legends need a powerful rival, (Muhammad Ali had Joe Frazier, Ray Leonard had Marvin Haggler) a competitor who will stimulate and inspire them to perform to the very best of their abilities. The featherweight division is playing host to its own rivalry, (while not on the level of Manny Pacquiao-Floyd Mayweather) quietly creating its own allure.

Boxing aficionados are desperate to see exciting Cuban Yuriorkis Gamboa take on dynamite puncher Juan Manuel Lopez of Puerto Rico, this pairing is almost certain to guarantee fireworks. Gamboa is the current WBA, IBF featherweight champion, his professional record is (20 wins 0 defeats 0 draws) 16 of those wins came by way of knockout. Gamboa’s latest victim was Jorge Solis (40-2-2) prior to the fight.

Solis looked a shadow of the fighter that once kept up with Manny Paquiao for 8 rounds, but credit must be given to Gamboa who totally outgunned him, Solis hit the canvass a total of five times causing referee David Shields to stop the fight in the fourth round giving Gamboa the victory by (TKO). Juan Manuel Lopez will be by far the biggest test of Gamboa’s professional career if they meet, Lopez also possesses a stellar amateur career and an undefeated professional record (30 wins, 0 losses, 0 draws) 27 of those wins by way of knockout. His most recent victory came by way of (TKO) against Mexican Rafael Marquez, who could not carry on due to a shoulder injury.

Lopez’s professional debut was on 29/1/2005 in Puerto Rico, scoring a quick knockout victory over also debuting Luis Colon, Lopez then went on to win 9 successive fights by way of K.O, ( Ivan Cordero, Efrain Perez, Eric Nemos, Charlie Jones, Roberto Chacon, Luis Bolano, Manuel Sanabria, and Jose Luis Caro. If Gamboa-Lopez meet, the fight will most likely take place in Las Vegas, at present Juan Manuel Lopez (WBO featherweight champion) would be the bigger draw due to thus far taking on the bigger names, on the bigger stages and the Puerto Rican community in America, where both fighters are based, dwarfing the Cuban community. Lets hope Bob Arum (Top Rank Promotions) who promotes both fighters, feels its in the best interest of boxing to make this mouth-watering clash happen, the last thing boxing needs right now is a Manny Pacquiao-Floyd Mayweather situation.