Luis Alberto Lopez Dethrones Josh Warrington, Clinches IBF Title
It was Warrington's first defense of his second reign.
It seems like Josh Warrington’s kryptonites are the boxers hailing from Mexico as Luis Alberto Lopez has become the second Mexican star to have beaten Warrington.
Mauricio Lara was the first Mexican to defeat the Englishman in February 2021.
With this win, Lopez (27-2, 15 KOs) has clinched the IBF world featherweight strap in his first-ever title fight.
In the Saturday’s showdown at First Direct Arena in Leeds, El Venado went straight through Warrington (31-2-1, 8 KOs) for eight rounds in a row. He made easy work of Warrington and got the judges’ nod despite a good comeback by Warrington in late rounds.
The officials scored the fight 114-114, 115-113 and 115-113 in Lopez’s favour as the Mexican beat the former champ in front of the latter’s home crowd in England.
And the new 👑 @Venadolopez1 #WarringtonLopez pic.twitter.com/vh93r6SiHZ
— Matchroom Boxing (@MatchroomBoxing) December 10, 2022
This was Warrington’s first defense of his second reign as the champion.
At one point in the 11th round, it seemed as if Warrington may stop Lopez, but the Mexican made it through somehow after being rocked with a left hook.
“This is my moment; it comes from hard work over a long boxing career,” the newly-crowned champ said.
As for Warrington, he still confided in himself to take on elite fighters in future.
“I started off slow, but after four or five rounds, I did some good work inside,” Warrington said. “For the last three rounds, body shots were ripping into him and all he wanted to do was hold. I’m devastated to lose my title like that. I still think I can have a big fight with one of the champions.”