Luis Alberto Lopez toured Great Britain and Northern Ireland, winning and defending his world featherweight title.
He even fought at the small but historic boxing venue, York Hall in the East End of London.
In 2021, after inflicting his first defeat on Gabriel Flores, he inflicted another first professional defeat on Isaac Lowe, knocking out the Briton in seven rounds at York Hall.
He returned to the UK as a world title contender a year later, upsetting Josh Warrington in Leeds to win by decision and capture the IBF featherweight championship.
It was a key victory and Lopez showed his qualities again in May when he faced Michael Conlan, the famous Olympic medalist, at the SSE Arena in Belfast.
Lopez overpowered the Irishman, stopping him in five rounds.
The Mexican is a fighter of form and at the US Bank Center in Corpus Christi, Texas, he is making the second defense of his title, live. Sky Sports Arena From one o’clock on Saturday morning.
His opponent is Joet Gonzalez, who has been defeated three times in his professional career but only to top-tier opponents: multiple world champions Shakur Stevenson and Emanuel Navarrete as well as former world champion Isaac Dogbo.
“I respect him because he fought great fights. He has done a great job in his career. But you know when we get in the ring, there’s no respect. “I will carry this belt home for my family and for Mexico,” Lopez declared.
Luis Alberto Lopez is looking to retain his world title
Boxing on Mexican Independence Weekend adds an extra edge to the fight.
“I’m happy to fight on an important date for Mexico, where Joet Gonzalez and I will represent our country. We will give a real war that night,” Lopez said.
“It will be an all-out war. When there are two hungry Mexicans in the ring, they always attack it with everything. We know that Goet Gonzalez is a strong player. My goal, as I said, is to knock him out.” “.
For Gonzalez, this is a third and perhaps final chance to win a world title. It is unlikely that he will get another opportunity like this.
Michael Conlan is knocked out by Luis Alberto Lopez in their IBF featherweight title bout in Belfast (PA Photos)
““I have to win,” Gonzalez said. “Every time I get in the ring, I give it my all.
“Sometimes it’s not your night. It is what it is. But I’m still here, and I’ll do my best every time.
“I expect a great fight. It’s a great day for Mexico. All I have to do is win and become the new IBF world champion. It’s plain and simple. I can’t go home empty-handed.”
“We are ready as always,” Lopez promised. “I am a fighter who knows how to put on exciting fights. I am a fighter who moves forward. They know that when El Venado steps into the ring, there will be a great show.”
Watch Luis Alberto Lopez vs. Joet Gonzalez for the world title from 1am on Saturday morning live on Sky Sports Arena
