Luis Alberto Lopez has toured Great Britain and Northern Ireland, winning and defending his IBF featherweight world title.
He’s even fought at the small but historic boxing venue, York Hall in the East End of London.
In 2021, after he’d handed Gabriel Flores a first defeat, he administered another first professional defeat to Isaac Lowe, knocking the Briton out in seven rounds at York Hall.
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Luis Alberto Lopez says his respect for Joet Gonzalez will go out of the window in the ring as Gonzalez hopes to find another gear
He returned to the UK a world title challenger a year later, upsetting Josh Warrington in Leeds to win a decision and capture the IBF featherweight championship.
That was a key victory and Lopez showed his calibre again in May when he took on Michael Conlan, the popular Olympic medallist, at the SSE Arena in Belfast.
Lopez overpowered the Irishman and stopped him inside five rounds.
The Mexican is a fighter in form and at the American Bank Center in Corpus Christi, Texas he makes the second defence of his title, live on Sky Sports Arena from 1am on Saturday morning.
His challenger is Joet Gonzalez, who has been defeated three times in his professional career but only to top class opposition: multi-weight world champions Shakur Stevenson and Emanuel Navarrete as well as former world champion Isaac Dogboe.
“I respect him because he has had great fights. He has done a great job in his career. But you know that when we get in the ring there is no respect. I am going to take this belt home for my family and for Mexico,” Lopez declared.
Luis Alberto Lopez is looking to retain his world title
Boxing on Mexican Independence weekend adds an extra edge to the fight.
“I am happy to fight on an important date for Mexico where Joet Gonzalez and I will be representing our country. We are going to present a real war that night,” Lopez said.
“It’s going to be a total war. When there are two hungry Mexicans in the ring, they always go at it with everything. We know that Joet Gonzalez is tough. And my goal, as I’ve said, is to knock him out.”
For Gonzalez is a third and quite possibly final chance to win a world title. He’s unlikely to get another opportunity like this.
Michael Conlan is floored by Luis Alberto Lopez in their IBF featherweight title fight in Belfast (PA Images)
“I’ve got to win,” Gonzalez said. “Every time I step into the ring, I give it my all.
“Sometimes it’s not your night. It is what it is. But I’m still here, and I’m going to give it my all every time.
“I’m expecting a great fight. It’s a big day for Mexico. All I have to do is win and become the new IBF world champion. Plain and simple. I can’t go home empty-handed.”
Lopez promised: “We are ready as always. I am a fighter who knows how to give exciting fights. I am a warrior who goes forward. They know that when ‘El Venado’ gets in the ring, there will be a great show.”
Watch the Luis Alberto Lopez vs Joet Gonzalez world title fight from 1am on Saturday morning live on Sky Sports Arena
