Angelo Leo turned a two-division world champion in emphatic trend after securing the IBF featherweight world title with a surprising one-punch knockout in opposition to Luis Alberto ‘Venado’ Lopez.
In an enormous upset at Tingley Coliseum in Albuquerque, New Mexico, Leo (25-2, 12 KOs) signed off a formidable hometown victory with in model by delivering a robust contender for knockout of the yr.
Leo boxed intelligently as Venado pushed ahead confidently together with his palms down. Undeterred, Leo moved his toes to arrange brief mixtures.
Credit score: Mikey Williams/Prime Rank
Regardless of Venado (30-3, 17 KOs) connecting often, Leo returned hearth typically with fast mixtures and laborious counters within the center rounds when Venado was off stability.
The Mexican powerhouse appeared unfazed by Leo’s punches, however an ideal left hook put Venado flat on his again within the tenth, ending the battle with 76 seconds remaining.
Angel Leo delivered a surprising KO to safe the IBF featherweight world title
Leo, the previous WBO junior featherweight world champion, joins fellow Duke Metropolis natives Johnny Tapia and Danny Romero in incomes world titles in two weight courses.
“This implies the world to me, preventing again in my hometown,” Leo mentioned. “I have been craving for this second. Like I mentioned, what higher strategy to do it than with a world title shot and with a knockout?
“That left hook, we have been training in camp for 4, 5 months. Not within the gymnasium, however in my room in entrance of the mirror. I simply saved throwing that left hook. And it paid off within the tenth spherical.
Lopez had held the IBF featherweight title since beating Josh Warrington in December 2022
“I wish to battle all of the champions, whether or not it’s Rafael Espinoza for a unification bout. Naoya Inoue, whoever it might be.”
On the identical card, Mexican Olympian Lindolfo Delgado (21-0, 15 KOs) edged Bryan Flores (26-1-1, 15 KOs) by way of a 10-round cut up resolution in tonight’s co-feature.
Delgado fought at a measured tempo, dropping Flores with a counter proper hand within the third. However Flores started to land rights of his personal and pushed Delgado to the ropes within the center rounds.
In spherical seven, Flores was deducted some extent for hitting beneath the belt, and Delgado upped his offense within the eighth to attempt to impede Flores’ momentum. The 2 went tit-for-tat with left hooks and brief proper palms at shut vary for the remaining two rounds.
One decide had it 96-92 Flores, whereas Delgado prevailed by scores of 96-92 and 95-93.
“The victory was not simple, however I loved it so much,” Delgado mentioned. “We needed to keep centered in every second to win the battle. He got here with a robust will to win, and other than that, he throws his punches with drive. However we managed to get the victory. I would really like a world title alternative subsequent.”
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