Luis Alberto ‘Venado’ Lopez will put his IBF featherweight global identify at the form in opposition to Angelo Leo on Saturday August 10, survive Sky Sports activities, at Tingley Coliseum in Albuquerque, Untouched Mexico.
Lopez (30-2, 17 KOs), from Mexicali, Mexico, is rising as one in every of his public’s maximum adorned champions. The 30-year-old powerhouse captured the IBF featherweight crown by way of dethroning Josh Warrington within the Brit’s place of birth of Leeds in December 2022.
In his first defence, he travelled once more to ban Belfast’s Michael Conlan by means of a fifth-round TKO in Might 2023, going back on america that September to overcome category mainstay Joet Gonzalez by way of unanimous choice.
In his closing time out, Lopez knocked out obligatory challenger Reiya Abe within the 8th around, handing the Jap contender his first stoppage defeat.
“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,” Lopez stated.
“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.”
Leo (24-1, 11 KOs) has already made historical past as one in every of six Untouched Mexicans to win an international identify. When Leo defeated Tramaine Williams for the vacant WBO yongster featherweight strap in 2020, he joined Bob Foster, Johnny Tapia, Danny Romero, Holly Holm, and Austin Trout as “Land of Enchantment” boxers to succeed in the pro mountain manage.
He misplaced the identify 5 months nearest to Stephen Fulton and spent greater than two years out of the hoop following a 2021 victory over Aaron Alameda. Leo moved as much as featherweight and received 3 fights, together with a powerful choice over former global identify challenger Eduardo Baez in April.
“I’m honoured to fight for my second world title, especially in my hometown of Albuquerque. I couldn’t ask for more,” Leo stated.
“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.”
Linfoldo Delgado and Bryan Flores can even collide at the evening in an all-Mexican 10-round yongster welterweight co-feature.
“Albuquerque is a great fight city, and we are thrilled to be back with an exciting card headlined by a ferocious world champion in Venado Lopez against the hometown kid, Angelo Leo,” stated Lead Rank chairman Bob Arum.
“Lindolfo Delgado is one of Mexico’s emerging superstars, and his fight against Bryan Flores has all the makings of a Fight of The Year contender. It’s a real throwback card in a place where so many classic fights have occurred.”