Puerto Rico keeps producing fighting bloodlines, and the latest López is already stepping out of his father’s shadow. Juanmita López, 19, son of two-division world champion Juan Manuel “Juanma” López, has signed with Rimas Sports — a deal meant to launch him from rising prospect to global name in the super flyweight division.
He’s only 3-0 with two knockouts, but Juanmita’s résumé already runs deeper than most. He’s fought in the Olympics, held Puerto Rican national titles, and owns a strong amateur record that makes insiders pay attention. Now he adds Rimas Sports to a team that already includes Top Rank and manager Peter Kahn.
Building a Full-Scale Machine Behind Him
Juanmita sounded focused but hungry when he spoke about the move:
“Being with Top Rank, Peter Kahn, and now Rimas Sports makes me feel like I’ve been steadily building the perfect team — the team I always dreamed of, and the one I know will take me far in this sport,” López said. “I’m more motivated than ever… I want to keep growing, keep improving every time I step into the ring, and represent Puerto Rico with pride.”
Rimas Sports isn’t just signing fighters for show. The deal covers athlete representation, branding, image control and marketing — the kind of support that turns a raw talent into a household name if the fighter delivers.
Director Alejandro Padrón didn’t hold back:
“Juanmita isn’t just a promising boxer — he’s a movement. He combines top-contender technical ability with mental toughness and star power… we’re proud to be part of his journey.”
From Olympic History to Madison Square Garden Knockout
Juanmita already owns one line of history: he was Puerto Rico’s national adult champ in 2023 and the youngest member of the island’s boxing team at the Paris 2024 Olympics. He and his father became the first father-son duo to box in the Games for Puerto Rico.
He also medaled at the 2022 IBA Youth Worlds, then qualified for the Olympics by winning a key world qualifier at flyweight. His professional debut was loud — a first-round knockout on February 14, 2025, at Madison Square Garden over Bryan Santiago. This Saturday in Kissimmee, Florida, he steps up to his first six-rounder against Luis Morales, an early test of how fast he can move.
Manager Peter Kahn, known for mapping smart careers, summed it up:
“Juanmita has what it takes to become a world champion — there’s no doubt about it. His discipline, skill set, and mindset set him apart. This partnership with Rimas Sports ensures he has the support and exposure to reach his full potential.”
For Puerto Rican boxing, keeping a talented Olympic kid at home while tying him to major US promoters and a deep marketing outfit is huge. If Juanmita keeps winning, he could be the island’s next crossover name in a lighter division that badly needs new stars.
$ome of these promoters just want another cash cow 🐄 from Puerto Rico, don’t care if he wins or loses later as long as they get paid now while hype is fresh.
They talking about branding and marketing too much instead of talking about how he fights. That tells me they care more about making money than making him a champ.
‘Represent Puerto Rico’ sounds nice but if all you do is post on Instagram and sell merch, that ain’t really reppin nothing 💁♀️.
‘Image control’ sounds like he trying to be a celebrity not a boxer 😂 better focus on training instead of filters and logos.
Just cause he fought in the Olympics don’t mean he ready for pro level fights. Them amateur fights is different from real ones where you get hit hard and got no headgear.
Exactly! Olympic boxing ain’t nothing like going 12 rounds with a pro who wants to knock your head off 😤 this kid not ready yet.
Yeah people acting like medals mean everything but we seen Olympic champs lose fast when they go pro. Let’s see him fight somebody real first.
I don’t get why everyone is hyping up this kid just cause his dad was famous. That don’t mean he’s gonna be great too. Lots of boxers have famous dads and don’t make it big.