In terms of hotly-contested divisions, the featherweight scene is one of the most intriguing in the sport, with no standout fighter being expected to trump any of his fellow champions at present. However, IBF title-holder Luis Alberto Lopez is hoping to change that opinion with a dominant victory, after his next title defence was officially announced.
Lopez (30-2) became IBF champion when he pulled off an upset win against Josh Warrington in December 2022 and has since gone on to make three defences of the belt against each of Michael Conlan, Joet Gonzalez and Reiya Abe in an extremely active 12-month spell that has established ‘El Venado’ as a worthy featherweight world champion and proven that his victory over Warrington was no fluke.
Now it has been confirmed that Lopez will defend his belt against a former world champion for the first time of his reign, going toe-to-toe on away soil against former WBO super-bantamweight champion Angelo Leo (24-1) – who’s only loss came at the hands of the once 122lb poster boy Stephen Fulton. Lopez has now revealed his intentions of using this opportunity to prove why he is the man to beat in the featherweight division.
“On August 10, I will make it abundantly clear who the king of the featherweight division is. This will be the fourth defense of my world title, and I’m preparing for a great battle against a former world champion like Angelo Leo.
“It will be a magical night for all the fans in New Mexico. I know he is the local fighter, but you already know what happens when I enter enemy territory. The ‘Road Warrior’ is back, and I will put all the division’s champions on notice.”
Meanwhile, Angelo Leo beamed at the prospect of becoming a multi-divisional world champion in front of his hometown crowd.
“I’m honoured to fight for my second world title, especially in my hometown of Albuquerque. I couldn’t ask for more.
“I know Lopez is one of the top champions in my division, and a win over him would be huge for me and my city. I’m in the prime of my career and can’t wait to show the world the fighter I’ve become since winning my first world title in 2020.”
After a 27-month spell of inactivity, Leo debuted at 126lbs back in November and has impressively fought on two additional occasions since, securing two knockout wins before registering a solid win against one-time world title challenger Eduardo Baez in his most recent outing. Still, Lopez represents a sizeable jump up in opposition and the Mexican will likely go into the contest as a hot favourite with the bookmakers.
In the co-main event of the bill, Lindolfo Delgado (20-0) will seek to go one step further to a super-lightweight title shot as he fights fellow undefeated Mexican Bryan Flores (26-0-1), whilst hard-hitting heavyweight Richard Torrez Jr. (10-0) hopes to maintain his 100% knockout ratio against Joshua Temple (13-3).
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