Angelo Leo KO10 Luis Alberto Lopez ... Angelo Leo set out to become a two-division world champion in his hometown tonight, and he did it in emphatic fashion. Leo captured the IBF featherweight world title with a one-punch knockout in the tenth round against Luis Alberto "Venado" Lopez Saturday evening at Tingley Coliseum in Albuquerque, New Mexico. Leo boxed intelligently as Venado pushed forward confidently with his hands down. Undeterred, Leo moved his feet to set up short combinations. Despite Venado (30-3, 17 KOs) connecting occasionally, Leo (25-2, 12 KOs) returned fire often with quick combinations and hard counters in the middle rounds when Venado was off balance.

 

The Mexican powerhouse seemed unfazed by Leo’s punches, but a perfect left hook put Venado flat on his back in the tenth, ending the fight at 1:16. Leo, the former WBO junior featherweight champion, joins fellow Duke City natives Johnny Tapia and Danny Romero in earning world titles in two weight classes.

 

Leo 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 10th round. I want to fight all the champions, whether it be Rafael Espinoza for a unification bout. Naoya Inoue, whoever it may be.”