By Ian S Palmer
IBF Featherweight Champion Josh Warrington will be defending his title against Luis Alberto Lopez of Mexico in the champion’s hometown of Leeds, England this Saturday, December 10th. The 12-rounder can be seen live in most nations on DAZN. Warrington regained the title in his last outing in March when he stopped Kiko Martinez in the seventh round while Lopez last fought in August when he stopped Yeison Vargas in the second round.
The 32-year-old Warrington enters the contest with an impressive record of 31-1-1 with 8 Ko’s. Yes, that’s just eight stoppages which means he might not appear to be too much of a threat to Lopez but his last two wins have come by way of TKO. Still, his current knockout ratio stands at just 24.2 per cent. Warrington first won the IBF title when he beat Lee Selby by split decision in May, 2018 and then defended it against Carl Frampton by unanimous decision in December and Kid Galahad by split decision in June, 2019.
He then stopped Sofiane Takoucht in the second round but then gave up the belt as he didn’t want to face Galahad again in a mandatory defence. He faced Mauricio Lara in his next two fights and was stopped in the ninth round in February, 2021 for his lone loss as a pro. He faced Lara in a rematch seven months later but the bout was declared a no-decision in the second round when Lara suffered a cut over his left eye from an accidental headbutt.
Warrington stands 5-feet-7-inches tall with a 67-inch reach and has boxed 249 rounds since making his pro debut in 2009 following his amateur career. He’s also captured several regional and minor titles since turning pro including the English, British, Commonwealth, European and WBC International Featherweight Titles. He’s fought all of his bouts in his homeland with his most recognizable foes so far being Lara, Martinez, Galahad, Frampton, Selby, Patrick Hyland, Rendall Munroe, Martin Lindsay, Hisashi Amagasa and Dennis Ceylan.
Warrington’s a fine boxer with a lot of heart but his chin was a problem against Lara last year. He may lack knockout power, but he managed to wobble Frampton a couple of times and took out Takoucht and Martinez so perhaps he’s been working on his power. He had stopped three of his previous seven opponents before running into Lara and with a bit more power added to the rest of his skills he should remain a formidable opponent for anybody.
Lopez is 29 years old and carries around a record of 26-2 with 15 Ko’s. He’s boxed 146 rounds since turning pro in 2015 and stands 5-feet-4-inches tall with a wingspan of 66.5 inches. This means he gives up three inches in height to Warrington and a negligible half-an-inch in reach. As far as power goes, Lopez isn’t considered a knockout artist either has he possesses a current knockout ratio of 53.6 per cent.
The first defeat Lopez suffered came at the hands of Abraham Montoya by way of a 10-round split decision in 2018 to lose his Mexico Pacific Coast Super Featherweight Title. He then dropped a 10-round unanimous decision to Ruben Villa in 2019 for the vacant WBO International Featherweight Crown. Since then he’s won nine straight fights including victories over Isaac Lowe, Gabriel Flores Jr and Andy Vences. In addition, his last three wins and four of his last five have been by stoppage.
Prediction……
Lopez has more power than Warrington and arguably a better chin as well, so this could be a tough night for the champion. Warrington’s boxing skills are slightly superior though and he may need them to come out of this fight with the belt still wrapped around his waist. This should be a close battle with Warrington edging it out as long as he stays on his feet.
