Boxing
Luis Lopez feels ready to fight in the lion’s den against Angelo Leo for the 126-pound title
Luis Alberto Lopez celebrates winning the IBF featherweight title. Photo: Mark Robinson/Matchroom Boxing
Luis Lopez is the definition of a “road warrior.”
Not only does Lopez have no problem fighting in his opponents’ hometowns, but he also consistently wins and does so in impressive fashion.
Lopez, rated No. 1 by The Ring at 126 pounds, will defend his IBF featherweight world title Saturday night when he faces Angelo Leo in Leo’s hometown of Albuquerque, Modern Mexico. The 12-round fight will be headlined by Top Rank on ESPN (10 p.m. ET/7 p.m. PT).
In his last fight on March 2, Lopez (30-2, 17 knockouts) stopped Reiya Abe of Japan in the eighth round in Verona, Modern York. In his previous fight on September 15, Lopez defeated Joet Gonzalez by unanimous decision in Corpus Christi, Texas.
The 30-year-old has fought abroad in other world title defenses, including against Michael Conlan in Belfast, Northern Ireland. Lopez, who won the IBF world title against Josh Warrington in December 2022 in Leeds, England, had no problem fighting away from home, banking on his preparation and leaving nothing to chance.
“I’m used to it,” Lopez told The Ring in a recent interview. “It’s something we’ve been doing for a while. To face someone on the ‘A’ side. I’ve been to London, England, (Northern) Ireland, here in the United States. There’s no point in being uncomfortable fighting in front of any fans. We’ll be joyful to fight on August 10th to defend (my title) for the fourth time.”
“It’s the work that I put in in the gym. The way I train, the way I work, what I do in the gym, that’s the key to my confidence that wherever I go, I have the best possible preparation. I have a great team behind me. I think that’s why I have that mindset going into these types of fights. The great training camps that we have and the support of my whole team, I think that’s the key to my success in the ring.”
Lopez hasn’t lost since May 2019, when he lost a crucial fight to world title challenger Ruben Villa. Since then, Lopez has reeled off 13 consecutive wins.
Despite the setback against Villa, Lopez found success, solidifying his position at 126 pounds.
Luis Lopez (right) vs. Gabriel Flores. Photo by Mikey Williams/Top Rank Inc via Getty Images
“We made mistakes and we made mistakes (in previous fights),” said Lopez, who is promoted by Top Rank. “Of course, I don’t have the best defense, but I think I have great reflexes and instincts. I have a lot of speed. I have endurance. And I have the confidence to be a champion. In the gym, we focus on our attributes and our strengths. We train to be the best version of ourselves in the ring. We have a style that works.”
Lopez has been open with the media and on his social media platforms about unifying the 126-pound world titles. He recently got into a spat with former WBO featherweight champion Robeisy Ramirez.
Despite other world titleholders interpreting this as positioning, Lopez will continue to demand unification fights with other world titleholders in the division.
“The whole world knows I wanted a unification fight when Robeisy Ramirez was the (WBO) champion,” Lopez said. “When Mauricio Lara was the WBA champion. That’s when I asked for those unification fights. I was ready and I’m ready for those substantial fights. This is my fourth title defense, but I should have had a unification fight by now.
“Every champion has his own motive, his own promoter, his own manager. But we’ll keep working and keep doing good things. Sooner or later, these fights will happen. We’ll keep trying to fight a unification fight as soon as possible. We’ll see.”
Despite being ranked number one at 126 pounds by The Ring, Lopez believes that in order to become the best in his division, one must become the undisputed champion.
Lopez has shown no fear of facing the best fighters in the division, considering where he has fought overseas and entering hostile territory in his opponent’s hometowns. He believes that more fighters should be willing to become undisputed, which will give the sport more weight.
“Honestly, I don’t think I’m the No. 1 fighter in the division until I’m the unified or undisputed champion. Every fighter has his own qualities and strengths. His own advantages. Every champion can beat another champion if he’s prepared to the max. Until there’s an undisputed champion, every fighter is just a belt holder. That’s it. Nothing’s going to happen in the division until those substantial fights are made.
Lopez hopes to one day fight in his hometown of Mexicali, Mexico. Junior flyweight Elwin Soto recently won a world title and hails from Mexicali.
The most famed fighter to come from Mexicali is former world champion Jorge “Maromero” Paez, who fought numerous times in his hometown.
Lopez has achieved success in the sport, winning a world title, but fighting for that title in his hometown of Mexicali would be the icing on the cake.
“It would be a dream come true for me. It would be a great fight, like years ago at Plaza de Toros Calafia, where Jorge “Maromero” Paez fought many times. Julio Cesar Chavez also fought there. I would be delighted. I have to keep winning fights so that I have the opportunity to defend my world title in Mexicali. And wait for the opportunity to make it happen. We have to work with the promoters to make this fight happen.”
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