IT has been quite the career turnaround for Luis Alberto Lopez. Five years ago, the man known as ‘El Venado’ was cut across the eye and beaten on points by 15-0 Ruben Villa.
For a lesser specimen, that defeat could’ve sent Lopez into a win-some-lose role. Instead, he brushed it off, set his feet and rattled off a 13-fight run of wins that has shown no sign of ending.
A split over Andy Vences, followed by a standout beatdown of 20-0 Gabe Flores Jr, led to a UK knockout of Isaac Lowe and a world title win over Josh Warrington back in the UK.
Lopez wasn’t favoured to beat Leeds man Warrington and he wasn’t expected by some to beat Michael Conlan in Belfast. Not only did he beat the Irish southpaw, he crushed him in front of a shocked home crowd.
Tomorrow evening, Lopez travels to the Tingley Coliseum in Albuquerque, New Mexico. That is, of course, where opponent Angelo Leo is from. What wouldn’t it be? Going into backyards is the only way Lopez knows.
Now based in Las Vegas, ‘El Chinito’ Leo has only lost once, to Stephen Fulton, in 2021. Leo lost the WBO super-bantamweight he had previously won against Tramaine Williams. It was a brief stint at world level.
Since then, a majority decision win over Aaron Alameda, followed by some build-up victories on Pro Box TV, has pushed him back into this position. Can he become a two-weight world champion? Don’t bet it on when the latest road warrior is in town. Top Rank promotes.
There are some points of intrigue on the undercard as patient puncher Lindolfo Delgado boxes fellow Mexican Bryan Flores. Both men are putting their undefeated records on the line, and it could turn into a firefight.
Vito Mielnicki Jr vs. Ronald Cruz (Getty Images)
Vito Mielnicki Jr (above) makes his Top Rank debut, facing Hungarian veteran Laszlo Toth. Another Top Rank new boy, Arnold Khegai, fights Belmar Preciado at featherweight.
Promising puncher Alan ‘Kid Kansas’ Garcia goes in with ‘El Coyote’ Maickol Lopez Villagrana.