Bob Arum Welcomes ‘Exceptional Talent’ to Top Rank

Top Rank have had a busy year, signing some of the best young talent in boxing with Art Barrera Jr. and Steven “Kid Dynamite” Navarro joining the ever-growing stable. Top Rank chairman Bob Arum has now announced his latest recruit with Puerto Rican amateur standout Juanmita López De Jesús signing a long-term professional contract.

Juanmita López De Jesús Follows in Father Juan Manuel ‘Juanma’ Lopez’s Footsteps

Bob Arum Reflects on Juan Manuel Lopez’s Legacy

Juanmita was already connected to Top Rank with him being the son of former two-division world champion Juan Manuel “Juanma” Lopez. Juan Manuel was an explosive fighter who fought under the Top Rank banner in the 2000s and early 2010s. His son Juanmita was an amateur standout who will make his professional debut – in the junior bantamweight division in early 2025.

The family has already created history with Juanmita and his father becoming the first Olympic father-son duo in Puerto Rican boxing. Despite a first-round exit at the 2024 Olympics to the eventual gold medallist Hasanboy Dusmatov, the youngster enjoyed an impressive amateur career, reaching the semifinals of the IBA Youth World Championships in 2022 and winning a Puerto Rican National Championship

Reflecting on the promise of Juanmita and speaking on the deal, Top Rank chairman Bob Arum said: “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.”

Arum continued: “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.”

Juanmita López De Jesús Reacts

“I thank God and Top Rank for the incredible opportunity to walk this path alongside them, following in my father’sfootsteps. This marks the beginning of something truly extraordinary. Thank you, Puerto Rico, for your unwavering support. I am thrilled to embark on this journey filled with passion and dedication. I am ready to give it my all to achieve greatness and create my own story,” said Juanmita when talking about following in his father’s footsteps.