Luis Alberto Lopez will defend his IBF featherweight title vs. Joet Gonzalez on Sept. 15 in Corpus Christi, Texas. Lopez, ESPN's top boxer at 126 pounds, will headline a "Top Rank on ESPN" show for the first time in the U.S. The 29-year-old from Mexico won the title with a majority-decision victory over Josh Warrington in December. And then he retained the belt with a brutal fifth-round TKO of Michael Conlan in May. Both bouts took place in the U.K.
Lopez (28-2, 16 KOs) has won 11 fights since a 2019 decision defeat to Ruben Villa. Lopez will meet a fellow action fighter Gonzalez, 29, who fights out of Los Angeles. Two of Gonzalez's three defeats came via decision in title challenges (against Emanuel Navarrete and Shakur Stevenson). Gonzalez (26-3, 15 KOs) also dropped a decision to Isaac Dogboe last year.
2023 IBF World Featherweight Title
Luis Alberto Lopez vs. Joet Gonzalez
When: Friday, September 15, 2023
Where: American Bank Center, Corpus Christi, TX
TV: ESPN and ESPN+
Luis Alberto Lopez vs. Joet Gonzalez Betting Odds
Luis Alberto Lopez vs. Joet Gonzalez Bookmaker Odds Analysis
Luis Alberto “El Venado” Lopez will defend his IBF world title against former two-time world title challenger Joet Gonzalez on Friday, September 15, at American Bank Center in Corpus Christi, Texas. Lopez returns stateside after back-to-back championship showdowns abroad.
“The fight fans in Corpus Christi and everyone watching on ESPN are in for a real treat. Luis Alberto Lopez is one of Mexico’s emerging champions, and Joet Gonzalez is a seasoned pro who is a difficult night at the office for anyone,” said Top Rank chairman Bob Arum.
In the 10-round junior middleweight co-feature, rising Puerto Rican sensation Xander Zayas takes on Mexico’s Roberto Valenzuela Jr.
As the defending IBF featherweight champion that has not lost a fight in over four years, Luis Alberto Lopez is an obvious favorite with gamblers. Lopez is a previous WBO International featherweight champion. That gives him immense credibility on the board with the masses. Also adding to his big price as chalk is that Lopez is coming off a successful title defense of his belt for the first time when he defeated Michael Conlan. Nothing moves the needle for most gamblers like recent success and championships.
Joet Gonzalez does not impress the betting public with a spotty recent record of three losses in his last six bouts. Bargain hunters will point to his previous regional championships. Gonzalez won the WBO international featherweight title, WBO intercontinental featherweight title, and the WBA continental and WHO global combined featherweight titles. The problem was that Gonzalez was not successful in defending his titles.
Luis Alberto Lopez
Lopez (28-2, 16 KOs) overcame numerous challenges in his quest to become a world champion. After early-career losses to Abraham Montoya and Ruben Villa, he defeated Andy Vences via split decision in July 2020. He dominated then-unbeaten junior lightweight prospect Gabriel Flores Jr. over ten rounds in September 2021. Lopez then moved down to featherweight and stopped another undefeated foe, Isaac Lowe, in seven rounds at London’s York Hall. After two stay-busy wins, he earned his shot at the IBF title, dethroning Josh Warrington in his hometown of Leeds, England. In his first defense, the 29-year-old again traveled to enemy territory and beat Michael Conlan via fifth-round TKO with a dazzling right uppercut in Belfast.
Joet Gonzalez
Gonzalez (26-3, 15 KOs) debuted in the pro ranks in 2012 and was 23-0 before facing Shakur Stevenson for the vacant WBO featherweight title in 2019. He dominated veteran Miguel Marriaga in his September 2020 return before losing his second attempt at the WBO strap in a 2021 Fight of the Year contender against Emanuel Navarrete. Gonzalez stopped Jeo Santisima via ninth-round TKO in March 2022 before dropping a split decision to Isaac Dogboe in July. The 29-year-old will have his third opportunity at a world title after defeating Enrique Vivas via a 10-round unanimous decision in April.
Luis Alberto Lopez vs. Joet Gonzalez Bookmaker Best Bet
There is an old saying about getting what you pay for. And that you must pay the price for quality. And that leads to defending champion Luis Alberto Lopez. Lopez is the more consistent and credible choice with the better resume.
Bookmaker Pick: Luis Alberto Lopez
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