On Saturday night, Angelo Leo scored a stunning one-punch knockout to upset Venado Lopez at Tingley Coliseum in Albuquerque, New Mexico.
Leo secured status as a two-division world champion in his hometown with a superb shot to emphatically claim the IBF featherweight title. The end came in the tenth round as Lopez lay prone on the canvas from a haymaker shot.
Before the stoppage, Leo gave Lopez all the trouble he could handle despite being a pre-fight underdog. Lopez, who dropped to 30-3, 17 KOs after loss, struggled to get going in spells. Leo, now 25-2, 12 KOs, always had an answer to Lopez and set up the finish for a grand finale.
Lopez was largely unfazed by Leo’s power until that super-punch connected with two rounds remaining, leaving the champion out as his head bounced off the floor. After previously claiming the WBO super bantamweight title, Leo joins an exclusive club of two-weight world titleholders. Duke City natives Johnny Tapia and Danny Romero also claimed the honor during their respective top-level careers.
In the aftermath, Leo spoke about his achievement as Lopez went to the hospital for treatment.
The new champion said, “This means the world to me, fighting back in my hometown. I’ve been yearning for this moment. Like I said, what better way to do it than with a world title shot and with a knockout?
“That left hook, we’ve been practicing in camp for four, five months, not in the gym, but in my room in front of the mirror. I just kept throwing that left hook. And it paid off in the tenth round.”
Angela Leo makes his case for KO of the Year.
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On what could be next, Leo added, “I want to fight all the champions, whether it be Rafael Espinoza for a unification bout. Naoya Inoue, whoever it may be.”
Social media lit up after Leo’s knockout, with many calling the finish a shoo-in to be named KO of the Year at the end of 2024.
Read all articles and exclusive interviews by Phil Jay. Learn more about the author, experienced boxing writer, and World Boxing News Editor since 2010. Follow on Twitter @PhilJWBN.
