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Former junior featherweight titleholder Angelo Leo’s comeback tour has reached a climax, and one other championship-clinching alternative can be introduced Saturday night time when he challenges IBF featherweight beltholder Luis Alberto Lopez.
The primary occasion combat will happen in Leo’s hometown of Albuquerque, New Mexico on the Tingley Coliseum on ESPN.
“It is positively a dream come true and a blessing. I can not lose in my hometown. That is one thing I will not do,” Leo instructed BoxingScene.
Leo (24-1, 11 KOs) has not fought in New Mexico since 2015, however he’s simply glad to be preventing once more.
“El Chinito” made a reputation for himself in 2020 when he beat Tramaine Williams for the vacant WBO 122-pound title however misplaced it the subsequent trip towards Stephen Fulton. On the time, he was signed to Mayweather Promotions.
Leo, 30, bounced again after his first skilled loss six months later in June 2021 to beat Aaron Alameda, however he could not get again into the ring for 2 and a half years. Struggling to get fights, Leo signed with ProBox and landed three fights in a 5 month stretch from November to April, beating the likes of Nicolas Polanco, Mike Plania, and most just lately, former title challenger Eduardo Baez.
“I had a hiccup in my profession with exercise after the Alameda combat, however I received my profession again on monitor once I signed with ProBox and made up for misplaced time,” stated Leo. “I discovered quite a bit from not preventing, however now I’m again to it.
“Trying again on the Fulton combat, I used to be not as mature as I ought to have been. However that is boxing, you reside and also you study, and I discovered from these errors. I’ve much more instruments in my arsenal now.”
Leo’s new-found confidence can be wanted to point out a stable account of himself towards Lopez (30-2, 17 KOs). “Venado” Lopez, a 30-year-old, nine-year professional from Mexico, was steamrolling by way of the competitors whereas Leo was caught on the sidelines, beating Josh Warrington for the title he now owns and defending it towards Michael Conlan, Joet Gonzalez and Reiya Abe.
“He is the 126-pound champion who has been buzzing essentially the most,” stated Leo.
“Lopez does plenty of issues nicely and lots of people do not give him credit score for his model. He is received good energy and that is one thing that negates his awkward and unconvential model. We’re trying to exploit that … He is positively hittable and has plenty of defensive flaws.
“I am hittable as nicely although. However a real champion can modify to something. I wish to present that pedigree. I can slug it out, field, transfer – I’m prepared for all of that.”
Manouk Akopyan is a sports activities journalist, author and broadcast reporter. He’s additionally a member of the Boxing Writers Affiliation of America and the MMA Journalists Affiliation. He might be reached on X (previously Twitter), Instagram, LinkedIn and YouTube at @ManoukAkopyan, by way of electronic mail at manouk[dot]akopyan[at]gmail.com or through www.ManoukAkopyan.com.
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