By Miguel Rivera

Jose "Wonder Boy" Lopez does not intend to serve as a stepping stone for Ryan Garcia, one of the main prospects for Golden Boy Promotions.

Therefore, the Puerto Rican contender has been training train consciously for the scheduled for March 30 at the Fantasy Springs Casino in Indio, California, on the same event where Angel "Tito Acosta will risk the junior flyweight crown of the World Boxing Organization (WBO).

"I'm preparing to win," said Lopez (23-3-1, 14 KO) to Carlos Gonzalez. "It does not bother me if the Golden Boy people think I'm going to [be a stepping stone] because I'm doing my job. Everyone who goes up to the ring to face me has to be well prepared because I'm coming to win."

Last October, Lopez suffered a setback by technical knockout at the hands of another Puerto Rican in Jonathan Oquendo. However, he said that the defeat did not take away the desire to continue the search for a world title.

"It was not an easy process (defeat), but it helps me to be in the gym. I dedicated myself to continue training. In part the fight against Garcia would be crucial for my future, but in boxing so many things can happen. I'm training to win and that's what I'm going for," he said.

Garcia debuted in boxing in 2016. He emerged victorious in his first 17 commitments, 14 of those before the limit. Among his victims is Puerto Rican Jayson "la Maravilla" Vélez, whom he dominated last May to conquer the NABO title, which is attached to the WBO in the super featherweight division.

"A victory over Garcia would put me back on the path to where I wanted to be, to where I was before. He (Garcia) is getting along well. I have not seen his fights, but because of his record he seems to be doing well, but if he thinks it will be an easy fight he will get a surprise," Lopez concluded.