Luis Lopez feels ready to step into the lion’s den against Angelo Leo in 126-pound belt defense
Luis Lopez is the definition of ‘Road Warrior.’
Not only does Lopez not have a problem fighting in his opponent’s hometowns, but he continues to win and do so in impressive fashion.
Lopez, rated No. 1 by The Ring at 126 pounds, will make another defense of his IBF world featherweight title Saturday night, as he faces Angelo Leo in Leo’s hometown of Albuquerque, New Mexico. The 12-round bout will headline a Top Rank on ESPN telecast (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. That fight took place in Verona, New 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, has had no issue fighting away from home, counting on his preparation and leaving nothing to chance.
“I’m used to it,” Lopez told The Ring in a recent interview. “It’s something that we’ve been doing for some time. To face someone from the ‘A’ side. I’ve gone to London, England, to (Northern) Ireland, here in the United States, as well. There’s no sense in feeling uncomfortable fighting before any type of fan. We are happy to fight on August 10 to make the fourth defense (of my title).
“It’s the work I do in the gym. The way I train, the way I work, what I do in the gym is key to my confidence that where I go, I had the best preparation possible. I have a great team behind me. I think that’s why I have that mentality going into these types of fights. The great training camps we have and the support of my entire team, I think that’s the key to my success in the ring.”
Lopez has not lost since dropping a close decision to contender and former world title challenger Ruben Villa in May 2019. Lopez has since racked up 13 consecutive victories.
Despite the setback in the Villa fight, Lopez has excelled, asserting his standing at 126 pounds.
Luis Lopez (right) against Gabriel Flores. Photo by Mikey Williams/Top Rank Inc via Getty Images
“We’ve made mistakes and committed errors (in those previous fights),” said Lopez, who is promoted by Top Rank. “Obviously, 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 that confidence of being a champion. In the gym, we focus on our qualities and strengths. We train to prepare for the best of myself in the ring. We have that style that works.”
Lopez has been vocal with the media and on his social media platforms about unifying the world title belts at 126 pounds. He recently got into a back-and-forth with former WBO world featherweight titleholder Robeisy Ramirez.
Despite what is interpreted to Lopez as posturing by other world titleholders, Lopez will continue to demand unification fights against the other world titleholders in the division.
“All the world knows I wanted a unification fight when Robeisy Ramirez was the (WBO) champion,” said Lopez. “When Mauricio Lara was the WBA champion, as well. At that time, I asked for those unification fights. I was and am ready for those big fights. It’s now my fourth defense of my title, but I should already have fought in a unification fight.
“Each champion has their own motive, their own promoter, their own manager. But we will continue to work, and continue to do good things. Sooner or later, those fights will take place. We will continue to try to fight in a unification fight as soon as possible. We will see.”
Despite the No. 1 rating by The Ring at 126 pounds, Lopez believes becoming an undisputed champion is the way to go in order to be called the best in a division.
Lopez has demonstrated no fear in facing the top fighters in the division, considering where he has fought abroad and going into hostile territories in his opponent’s hometowns. He believes more fighters should be willing to become undisputed, giving more relevance to the sport.
“Sincerely, I don’t think I’m the No. 1 fighter in the division until I’m unified or an undisputed champion. Each fighter has their own qualities and strengths. Their virtues. Any champion can beat another champion if they are prepared to the max. Until there is an undisputed champion, each fighter will just be a beltholder. That’s it. Nothing will happen in division until those big fights are made.
Lopez does hold out hope one day he could fight in his hometown of Mexicali, Mexico. Junior flyweight Elwin Soto recently won a world title and is from Mexicali.
The most famous fighter to come out of Mexicali is former world champion Jorge ‘Maromero’ Paez, who fought many times in his hometown.
Lopez has excelled in the sport, owning a world title belt, but a world title fight 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, just like years ago at the Plaza de Toros Calafia, where Jorge ‘Maromero’ Paez fought many times. Julio Cesar Chavez fought there as well. I would be delighted. I have to continue winning fights, so that there is an opportunity that I could have a world title defense in Mexicali. That and wait for the opportunity for this to happen. We have to work with the promoters for that fight to happen.”
Francisco A. Salazar has written for The Ring since October 2013 and has covered boxing in Southern California and abroad since 2000. Francisco also covers boxing for the Ventura County (California) Star newspaper. He can be reached at santio89@yahoo.com
The post Luis Lopez feels ready to step into the lion’s den against Angelo Leo in 126-pound belt defense appeared first on The Ring.