Luis Alberto Lopez is gearing up for his second defense of the IBF featherweight world title in a thrilling clash against Joet Gonzalez scheduled for September in Texas. After his explosive TKO victory over Michael Conlan earlier this year, Lopez is returning to the ring with high spirits. The May bout marked his first successful defense of the championship title, which he had claimed from Josh Warrington in late 2022.
On the other side of the ring, Joet has experienced a mix of results in his recent fights, alternating between wins and losses since his defeat to Shakur Stevenson in 2019. However, Gonzalez showcased his prowess in his last outing, securing a unanimous decision victory against Enrique Vivas in April. He is determined to break the pattern of following a win with a loss and will give his all to challenge Lopez for the coveted world title.
Luis Alberto Lopez vs Joet Gonzalez: IBF title bout set for Sept 15
On Friday, September 15, at the American Bank Center in Corpus Christi, Texas, the exciting bout between Luis Alberto “El Venado” Lopez and former two-time world title challenger Joet will take place as Lopez defends his IBF world title. Lopez is making his way back to the United States after consecutive championship showdowns held abroad.
🥊 Announced: Luis Alberto Lopez will defend his IBF featherweight world title vs Joet Gonzalez on Sept 15th in Corpus Christi, Texas.
— Michael Benson (@MichaelBensonn) July 24, 2023
In the co-feature of the event, the rising Puerto Rican sensation Xander Zayas will step into the ring for a 10-round junior middleweight clash against Mexico’s Roberto Valenzuela Jr. Expect sparks to fly in this highly anticipated matchup.
“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.
Everything you need to know about Luis Alberto Lopez vs Joet Gonzalez
The upcoming event marks a significant milestone for Top Rank, as it signals their return to Corpus Christi for the first time since December of 2018 when Gilbert Ramirez secured a victory over Jesse Hart.
Both headlining fighters boast impressive records: Luis Alberto Lopez holds an impressive 28-2 record with 16 knockouts, while Joet, with a professional debut in 2012, boasts a solid record of 26-3 with 15 knockouts.
The co-feature promises to be just as thrilling, with the rising Puerto Rican sensation Xander Zayas, undefeated at 16-0 with 10 knockouts, looking to showcase his talents against the formidable Mexican fighter Roberto Valenzuela Jr.
Valenzuela, with a six-year pro career under his belt, holds an impressive record of 21-4 with 20 knockouts, adding an extra layer of excitement to this highly anticipated matchup. Fans can expect an action-packed night of boxing as these talented athletes step into the ring to prove their mettle.
