Jonathan Lopez is studying the struggle sport on his technique to develop into a junior light-weight contender.
Based mostly on who he’s studying from, his boxing IQ might be off the charts.
Lopez will face Leonardo Padilla tonight on the Palms On line casino Resort in Las Vegas, Nevada. The eight spherical bout will happen on the High Rank undercard, which is able to start streaming stay at 6:50 p.m. ET/ 3:50 p.m. PT.
In his final struggle on Could 18, Lopez (15-0, 11 knockouts), who resides in Orlando, Florida, knocked out Edgar Ortega within the eighth spherical. In his earlier struggle on November 18, Lopez scored a highlight-reel knockout of Jose Santos Gonzalez.
The 21-year-old fought 5 occasions in 2023, and is grateful for the chance to struggle for the second time in lower than two months, as exercise permits him to develop his skill-set.
“I’m glad I’m staying lively,” Lopez advised The Ring Thursday night time. “Over the past couple of fights, I’ve labored on remaining extra calm within the ring. I discover extra little issues on my opponent, like seeing what punches come from them and me making an attempt to capitalize on it.
“I turned the WBC Youth champion in Mexico (in December 2021). In order that was a step ahead. I’ve stepped up in opposition in every struggle, and that’s one other step ahead. Every struggle I look to enhance, in order that’s additionally one other step. I take all these steps in my improvement to be a more-complete fighter.”
Lopez has had the fortune of getting Eddy Reynoso in his nook. Reynoso trains Ring Journal tremendous middleweight champion Canelo Alvarez, junior light-weight contender Oscar Valdez and once-beaten heavyweight Frank Sanchez.
Due to his enhancing skill-set and willingness to be taught, together with the self-discipline within the health club, Reynoso is assured Lopez can develop into a prime fighter in boxing.
“This child can be a star,” Reynoso advised The Ring Tuesday night time. “I hope he continues to be disciplined. All of it is determined by his willingness to be taught and, amongst every little thing, absorbing what’s advised to him. He has a whole lot of expertise and a whole lot of potential.
“He can be a world champion in two years.”
In April, Lopez traveled to Japan to function a sparring associate for Ring Journal junior featherweight titleholder Naoya Inoue.
Whether or not it was sparring within the ring or observing Inoue prepare within the health club, Lopez got here away with a larger respect for Inoue, together with extra respect for among the finest pound-for-pound fighters on the earth.
“I used to be in camp with Inoue for 5 weeks,” mentioned Lopez, who made his professional debut in November 2020. “We sparred one thing like 50 rounds. I realized a lot from him. His data of the game is one thing else.
“Inoue could be very humble and really skilled. He actually lives his life by way of boxing. Exterior of the ring, he’s a chill individual. He’s an excellent individual and really right down to earth.”
Lopez faces a troublesome gatekeeper in Padilla (23-5-1, 16 KOs), who’s from Caracas, Venezuela. Padilla fought to a cut up resolution draw towards Jeremy Hill in his final bout on December 8, and has a win over former fringe contender Andy Vences on June 24 of final 12 months.
Padilla has suffered defeats by the hands of Roger Gutierrez, Thomas Patrick Ward, and Mirco Cuello, however needs to be a stable check for Lopez, who believes he has to make a press release on Saturday.
“I do know I’ve to make a press release in every struggle,” mentioned Lopez. “I did in my final struggle. I acquired the knockout within the final spherical, which is tough to do.
“Every struggle, I’ve the identical mentality. I do know folks take note of performances and doing higher than the earlier struggle. That’s my objective.
“I need to show myself, do my finest, and have an excellent profession.”
Francisco A. Salazar has written for The Ring since October 2013 and has lined boxing in Southern California and overseas since 2000. Francisco additionally covers boxing for the Ventura County (California) Star newspaper. He could be reached at [email protected]
