Juan Manuel Lopez apologizes for ref comments

Juan Manuel Lopez apologizes for ref comments

Published Mar. 20, 2012 5:56 p.m. ET

Former WBO featherweight champion Juan Manuel Lopez says he has no recollection of accusing a referee of betting following his second career loss to Mexican Orlando Salido.

Lopez said at a news conference Tuesday that he did not know what he said or did following the March 10 fight until he saw a video of himself the following day. He said he was embarrassed and asked the people of Puerto Rico to forgive him.

Lopez spoke just days after Puerto Rico's Professional Boxing Commission suspended him as it investigates the allegations. Lopez is scheduled to meet with officials on Monday.

He said if the commission suspends him for a year it would force him into early retirement.

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Lopez is 31-2 with 28 KOs.

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