BY BOXING HIT STAFF-
In a stunning turn of events, Angelo Leo pulled off a significant upset by knocking out IBF featherweight champion Luis Alberto ‘Venado’ Lopez in the tenth round of their bout. The fight took place in Leo’s hometown at the Tingley Coliseum in Albuquerque, New Mexico. Despite Lopez being slightly ahead on the scorecards, Leo landed a massive left hook in the tenth round that sent Lopez crashing to the canvas, unable to continue the fight. The stoppage came at 1:16 of round ten, marking a dramatic end to the battle.
Venado Lopez found himself sprawled on the mat, unable to rise and resume the fight due to the devastating blow from Leo. Referee Earnie Shariff allowed Lopez to attempt to stand, but it was evident that he was severely hurt and not in a position to continue. Leo’s victory was a testament to his resilience and ability to weather Lopez’s powerful punches throughout the match. The hometown support for Leo may have also played a role, as the crowd cheered him on, providing him with the motivation to endure the punishment and emerge victorious.
It remains unclear if there is a rematch clause in the contract between Leo and Lopez. Given that this was a voluntary defense for Lopez against the #10 ranked Leo, there is a possibility of a rematch being negotiated. If a second fight does take place, it will be intriguing to see if Leo’s hometown advantage continues to be a factor in the outcome.
The undercard featured several exciting matchups, including Lindolfo Delgado’s unanimous decision victory over Bryan Flores in the Junior Welterweight division. Delgado showcased his skills by dropping Flores in the third round and ultimately securing the win despite a point deduction for Flores due to a low blow.
Matthew Griego also emerged victorious in the Flyweight division, defeating Gilberto Mendoza in an eight-round rematch. Griego’s unbeaten record remained intact as he claimed victory with unanimous scores of 80-72 across all judges’ cards.
In the Junior Middleweight division, Vito Mielnicki Jr. made a successful Top Rank debut by winning via disqualification in the second round against Laszlo Toth. Mielnicki’s performance led to Toth’s corner entering the ring, resulting in Toth being disqualified and denying Mielnicki the chance to secure a knockout on his record.
Angelo Leo’s knockout victory over Luis Alberto Lopez marked a significant moment in the featherweight division and set the stage for potential future matchups. The undercard bouts also delivered excitement and showcased the talent present in the lower weight classes of boxing.
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