Angelo Leo is headed for a world title shot against Luis Lopez in New Mexico in August
Angelo Leo may fight for another world title this summer.
The Ring has learned that Leo is in advanced talks to face IBF featherweight titleholder Luis ‘Venado’ Lopez in Albuquerque, New Mexico, where Leo is from.
“World title fight here in our hometown of Albuquerque,” Leo said in a recent post on his social media accounts. “I couldn’t ask for more.”
Local media in Albuquerque are reporting that the fight will take place on August 10 or 17 at the Tingley Coliseum, a multi-purpose venue that seats approximately 11,600 people. In the last week or so, the New Mexico Athletic Commission approved August 10th as the date for the fight to take place.
The card will reportedly be promoted by Top Rank Boxing, which promotes Lopez, in partnership with Albuquerque-based Legacy Promotions.
Top Rank declined to comment from The Ring’s Jake Donovan when asked to confirm the Lopez-Leo fight.
A clash between Lopez and Leo would be a tough fight between two of the top featherweights in the world. Lopez is ranked No. 1 by The Ring at 126 pounds, and Leo is ranked in the top ten in two of boxing’s biggest heavyweights.
Leo (24-1, 11 knockouts), who currently lives and trains in Las Vegas, Nevada, is coming off a unanimous decision win over former world champion Eduardo Baez on April 10. In his last fight on January 31, -Leo was kicked out. former junior featherweight champion Mike Plana in the third round.
The 29-year-old has won his last four fights since losing to Stephen Fulton in January 2021. Leo will lose his WBO junior featherweight title to Fulton.
After a long stint fighting under the Mayweather Promotions banner, Leo is now promoted by ProBox TV.
Lopez (30-2, 17 KOs), who lives in Mexicali, Mexico, last fought on March 2, stopping Japan’s Reiya Abe in the eighth round. Lopez previously fought on September 15, defeating Joet Gonzalez by unanimous decision.
The 30-year-old won the IBF world title in December 2022, defeating Josh Warrington by majority decision. If the fight becomes reality, Leo’s fight will be Lopez’s fourth attempt to defend a world title.
Francisco A. Salazar has written for The Ring since October 2013 and has handled boxing in Southern California and internationally since 2000. Francisco also covers boxing for the Ventura County (California) Star newspaper. They can be reached at [email protected]
