Puerto Rican beginner standout Juanmita López De Jesús, a 2024 Olympian, has signed a long-term skilled contract with High Rank and can make his professional 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 below the High Rank banner within the 2000s and early 2010s.
“Juan Manuel Lopez is certainly one of Puerto Rico’s nice champions, and it brings me nice pleasure to welcome Juanmita to the High Rank household,” mentioned High Rank Chairman Bob Arum. “Juanmita is an distinctive expertise, somebody we really feel will excel within the ring and, like his father, carry many championships to the good combating nation of Puerto Rico.”
Juanmita mentioned, “I thank God and High Rank for the unimaginable alternative to stroll this path alongside them, following in my father’s footsteps. This marks the start of one thing actually extraordinary. Thanks, Puerto Rico, on your unwavering help. I’m thrilled to embark on this journey crammed with ardour and dedication. I’m prepared to offer it my all to realize greatness and create my very own story.”
Juanmita and his father made historical past as the primary Olympic father-son duo in Puerto Rican boxing. A local of Caguas, Juanmita had a embellished beginner run as an adolescent, reaching the semifinals of the IBA Youth World Championships in 2022 and profitable a Puerto Rican Nationwide Championship the next 12 months. Twenty years after his father fought on the 2004 Athens Olympics, Juanmita entered the Paris Video games as one of many youngest boxers. He had a tough draw within the flyweight bracket and fell by determination in his opening match to eventual gold medalist Hasanboy Dusmatov.
A press launch by High Rank was used on this article.
