Puerto Rican amateur standout Juanmita López De Jesús, a 2024 Olympian, has signed a long-term professional contract with Top Rank and will make his pro debut as a junior bantamweight in early 2025.
The 18-year-old Juanmita is the son of former two-division world champion Juan Manuel “Juanma” Lopez, an explosive puncher who fought under the Top Rank banner in the 2000s and early 2010s.
“Juan Manuel Lopez is one of Puerto Rico’s great champions, and it brings me great pleasure to welcome Juanmita to the Top Rank family,” said Top Rank Chairman Bob Arum. “Juanmita is an exceptional talent, someone we feel will excel in the ring and, like his father, bring many championships to the great fighting nation of Puerto Rico.”
I hope there is continuity with TR when Arum is no longer around. It would be a pity if proper succession planning is not implemented
I think that likely happened awhile ago. It would be hard for me to think that a company like Top Rank, with as ACTIVE as they are, is being ran by a 90 year old man.
The president of the company is Todd DuBoef and he’s also Bob’s stepson. I think he runs the daily business of Top Rank and will continue to when Bob is gone.
Got you.
Who cares..fighters will still exist and there be less barriers to make fights..promoters are useless..bob Arum didn’t do make boxing better
Juanmita? It sounds like a lady name. Juanmanito sounds more machu. I hope he doesn’t have the same chin as his dad.
“Juan Manuel Lopez is one of Puerto Rico’s great champions,…”
– The word “great” is widely overused in this day and age………………….
He was a very good fighter for awhile and he was always exciting to watch but I agree with you. Juanma was never great.
Best of luck Juanmita!!! Totally enjoyed watching your dad fight! He ALWAYS brought his best, Win or Lose!! Met him in person a couple of times and he was very friendly and gracious.
“Juanma was a woman beater and drug addict. But he sold alot of tickets for us so we hope his son will do the same”. -Bob Arum