"Yeah, the retirement is definitely official...I'm happy with the way my career has gone. I have no regrets as far as my career goes. The only regret I have about retiring this way is retiring on a loss. That's the only thing I didn't like," stated former featherweight champion Juan Manuel Lopez, who talked about his recent decision to retire, his career, and much more. Check it out!
PC: Obviously things didn't go as planned against Jesus Cuellar. How did you feel in there?
JML: I felt good, but things didn't go as planned and it kind of is what it is. I definitely didn't want to lose the fight, but it is what it is.
PC: How did you feel during the preparation for this fight?
JML: Everything was going good. I felt good and that's why I took the fight because I felt good while training.
PC: A couple of fights back, you had a pretty tough weight cut and it seemed like that's when things started to come unraveled for you. Would you point that out as the moment things started to go wrong in your career or would you not specify just one moment?
JML: Making the weight was bad. I felt good with the boxing aspect of things, but making the weight was bad and training became harder and harder because of the weight loss and that effects the way you fight.
PC: Are you officially retired from the sport of boxing?
JML: Yeah, the retirement is definitely official.
PC: Do you have any regrets as far as your career goes?
JML: No, no, I'm happy with the way my career has gone. I have no regrets as far as my career goes. The only regret I have about retiring this way is retiring on a loss. That's the only thing I didn't like.
PC: What about the fight with Yuriorkis Gamboa never coming to fruition. Not that that was your fault, but would you have liked to have that fight?
JML: Yeah, the fight with Gamboa was the fight that everybody wanted. I wanted it, Gamboa wanted it, but for whatever reason, the fight just couldn't be made.
PC: What would you consider your defining moment as a fighter?
JML: My first fight with Daniel Ponce De Leon was my proudest moment. Defeating Ponce De Leon and winning that title was definitely my most proudest moment as a fighter.
PC: What would you like the boxing community to remember most about you?
JML: (Laughing) Well, I want to be remembered as a great fighter who left everything in the ring and I didn't run from anybody.
PC: Before I let you go, I have to ask because a lot of people expressed concern for you, have you been evaluated physically, and if so, what were those results?
JML: I feel good and I have had tests done and everything came out good. Thank God for that.
PC: Thanks for a brilliant and exciting career and I hope you continue to follow the sport of boxing because you provided great fights and memories.
JML: Thank you and I will always watch the sport of boxing closely. I appreciate the kind words.
[ Follow Percy Crawford on Twitter @MrLouis1ana ]