While Premier Boxing Champions returns to Southern California on June 6 when Robert Guerrero takes on Aron Martinez at Carson’s StubHub Center, one of SoCal’s own fighters will be working on the comeback trail.
Josesito Lopez banged up his left hand during his March 13 fight against Andre Berto.
Josesito Lopez took on Andre Berto on March 13 in Ontario, California, where he suffered a sixth-round stoppage. But that’s not all he suffered.
“In my last fight I tore a band that holds my tendon aligned to my knuckles,” Lopez said. “My tendon was flapping over in between my knuckles. I didn’t realize how bad it was until all the swelling went down a week or so later. My hand was pretty banged up.”
His left hand had been bothering him for four years, and successful surgery on April 14 finally got it under control. Now two weeks into eight weeks of physical therapy, things are coming along so nicely that Lopez thinks he can be back in the ring by November.
“My hand is recovering probably a little sooner than we anticipated,” he said. “It was hard not being able to do anything. I was doing what I can. But the surgery went well and I’ve been taking care of my hand, so I’m excited. It’s going to be something new for me to be punching without having to worry about my hand. I can’t wait to try it out.”
In the meantime, Lopez has kept busy working on the new home he bought in October now that he doesn’t have to be away for training camp.
“I’m a hands-on type of guy,” he said. "I’ve been working on my garage. I’ve got a home gym. Now I’m going to be landscaping my backyard. Hopefully I can have that done in a month or so.”
He’s even found time to check out the ponies at Santa Anita. Good thing you can call an exacta one-handed.
