Luis Alberto Lopez celebrates successful the IBF featherweight title. Picture by Mark Robinson/Matchroom Boxing
Luis Lopez is the definition of ‘Street Warrior.’
Not solely does Lopez not have an issue combating in his opponent’s hometowns, however he continues to win and achieve this in spectacular vogue.
Lopez, rated No. 1 by The Ring at 126 kilos, will make one other protection of his IBF world featherweight title Saturday evening, as he faces Angelo Leo in Leo’s hometown of Albuquerque, New Mexico. The 12-round bout will headline a High Rank on ESPN telecast (10 p.m. ET/ 7 p.m. PT).
In his final struggle on March 2, Lopez (30-2, 17 knockouts) stopped Reiya Abe of Japan within the eighth spherical. That struggle came about in Verona, New York. In his earlier struggle on September 15, Lopez defeated Joet Gonzalez by unanimous choice in Corpus Christi, Texas.
The 30-year-old has fought overseas in different world title defenses, together with towards Michael Conlan in Belfast, Northern Eire. Lopez, who gained the IBF world title towards Josh Warrington in December 2022 in Leeds, England, has had no concern combating away from house, relying on his preparation and leaving nothing to probability.
“I’m used to it,” Lopez informed The Ring in a current interview. “It’s one thing that we’ve been doing for a while. To face somebody from the ‘A’ facet. I’ve gone to London, England, to (Northern) Eire, right here in the USA, as effectively. There’s no sense in feeling uncomfortable combating earlier than any sort of fan. We’re pleased to struggle on August 10 to make the fourth protection (of my title).
“It’s the work I do within the health club. The way in which I practice, the way in which I work, what I do within the health club is essential to my confidence that the place I’m going, I had the perfect preparation doable. I’ve an amazing group behind me. I feel that’s why I’ve that mentality going into all these fights. The nice coaching camps we have now and the assist of my complete group, I feel that’s the important thing to my success within the ring.”
Lopez has not misplaced since dropping an in depth choice to contender and former world title challenger Ruben Villa in Might 2019. Lopez has since racked up 13 consecutive victories.
Regardless of the setback within the Villa struggle, Lopez has excelled, asserting his standing at 126 kilos.
Luis Lopez (proper) towards Gabriel Flores. Picture by Mikey Williams/High Rank Inc through Getty Photographs
“We’ve made errors and dedicated errors (in these earlier fights),” stated Lopez, who’s promoted by High Rank. “Clearly, I don’t have the perfect protection, however I feel I’ve nice reflexes and instincts. I’ve quite a lot of velocity. I’ve endurance. And I’ve that confidence of being a champion. Within the health club, we give attention to our qualities and strengths. We practice to arrange for the perfect of myself within the ring. We’ve that model that works.”
Lopez has been vocal with the media and on his social media platforms about unifying the world title belts at 126 kilos. He lately acquired right into a back-and-forth with former WBO world featherweight titleholder Robeisy Ramirez.
Regardless of what’s interpreted to Lopez as posturing by different world titleholders, Lopez will proceed to demand unification fights towards the opposite world titleholders within the division.
“All of the world is aware of I needed a unification struggle when Robeisy Ramirez was the (WBO) champion,” stated Lopez. “When Mauricio Lara was the WBA champion, as effectively. At the moment, I requested for these unification fights. I used to be and am prepared for these massive fights. It’s now my fourth protection of my title, however I ought to have already got fought in a unification struggle.
“Every champion has their very own motive, their very own promoter, their very own supervisor. However we are going to proceed to work, and proceed to do good issues. Eventually, these fights will happen. We are going to proceed to attempt to struggle in a unification struggle as quickly as doable. We are going to see.”
Regardless of the No. 1 score by The Ring at 126 kilos, Lopez believes turning into an undisputed champion is the way in which to go with a view to be known as the perfect in a division.
Lopez has demonstrated no concern in going through the highest fighters within the division, contemplating the place he has fought overseas and going into hostile territories in his opponent’s hometowns. He believes extra fighters needs to be prepared to develop into undisputed, giving extra relevance to the game.
“Sincerely, I don’t assume I’m the No. 1 fighter within the division till I’m unified or an undisputed champion. Every fighter has their very own qualities and strengths. Their virtues. Any champion can beat one other champion if they’re ready to the max. Till there may be an undisputed champion, every fighter will simply be a beltholder. That’s it. Nothing will occur in division till these massive fights are made.
Lopez does maintain out hope sooner or later he may struggle in his hometown of Mexicali, Mexico. Junior flyweight Elwin Soto lately gained a world title and is from Mexicali.
Essentially the most well-known fighter to come back out of Mexicali is former world champion Jorge ‘Maromero’ Paez, who fought many instances in his hometown.
Lopez has excelled within the sport, proudly owning a world title belt, however a world title struggle in his hometown of Mexicali can be the icing on the cake.
“It will be a dream come true for me. It will be an amazing struggle, identical to years in the past on the Plaza de Toros Calafia, the place Jorge ‘Maromero’ Paez fought many instances. Julio Cesar Chavez fought there as effectively. I might be delighted. I’ve to proceed successful fights, so that there’s a chance that I may have a world title protection in Mexicali. That and watch for the chance for this to occur. We’ve to work with the promoters for that struggle to occur.”
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 will be reached at [email protected]
