For huge underdog Lopez, doubters provide motivation

Lopez had given Vargas all he could handle before losing a 10-round split decision to the Las Vegan last Sept. 17 at the MGM Grand Garden. Vargas knew firsthand that Lopez could fight.

“Lopez has a great heart,” Vargas said. “He gave me a very tough fight, and I knew he had a chance against Victor Ortiz.”

Now, almost a year later, Lopez (30-4, 18 knockouts) will fight Saul “Canelo” Alvarez on Saturday at the Grand Garden for Alvarez’s WBC junior middleweight belt. And Vargas, who will fight Thursday against Aron Martinez at the Hard Rock Hotel, said Lopez’s chances of winning increase the longer the 12-round fight goes.

“It’s a big difference in weight,” said Vargas, citing the 154-pound limit for Saturday’s fight compared with the 146½-pound limit for the Ortiz bout and the 142-pound limit for Vargas.

“That can be hard for a smaller fighter. But Lopez will not give Canelo an easy fight. He is a strong puncher and a smart fighter. (Lopez) will make him work for it.”

Lopez, who arrived in Las Vegas on Tuesday, said he is comfortable as a huge underdog against Alvarez, who is a minus-1400 betting favorite at MGM Resorts sports books with Lopez at plus-700.

“I love the position, really,” Lopez said. “The more people don’t believe in me, it’s probably better for me. Nobody gave me a chance against Victor Ortiz and look what happened. I’m ready to do the same in this fight. I plan to take advantage of the opportunity.”

Lopez said he is making sure he maintains his strength as he moves up to 154 pounds for the Showtime-televised fight.

“I’ve followed a nutritional diet, and I’m feeling stronger and better than ever,” he said. “We’re focusing more on maintaining weight because through these intense workouts, it’s natural to start losing some weight. It’s definitely what I’m going to need to come out with the victory.”

Alvarez said he is expecting a tough fight.

“Josesito has a great chin,” said Alvarez (40-0-1, 29 KOs). “I feel I’ll have to work him little by little and throw my best combinations to hurt him. He’s durable, he’s dangerous and he’s coming to take my belt.”

Lopez said he made a big mistake by not being more aggressive in the 10-round loss to Vargas. But he might have ultimately come out the bigger winner. While Vargas fights in the main event at the Hard Rock Hotel, Lopez is headlining at a much bigger venue and will make $212,500 to fight for a world title. (Alvarez will make $2 million.)

“I never looked at it that way,” Lopez said. “I guess everything happens for a reason.”

Contact reporter Steve Carp at scarp@reviewjournal.com or 702-387-2913. Follow him on Twitter: @stevecarprj.