Date: 10/12/2022
Stadium: First Direct Arena
TV: DAZN
Local hero Josh Warrington is tipped to successfully defend his IBF featherweight title against Luis Alberto Lopez in Leeds on Saturday.
The 29-year-old Mexican challenger has won 26 of his 28 bouts but this looks to be by far his biggest test to date.
We’re sticking with a home win for the champion at 4/5 as our opening Josh Warrington vs Luis Alberto Lopez prediction.
Josh Warrington Odds
Warrington’s likeable manner and all-action style helped him build up an army of fans as he rose through the ranks with 30 consecutive victories.
Having secured British, Commonwealth and European belts, the Leeds Warrior claimed this crown via a split-decision win over Lee Selby at Elland Road in May 2018.
High-profile triumphs over Carl Frampton and Kid Galahad put him on the brink of landing a mega fight in America, before a surprise loss to Mauricio Lara derailed those plans.
A rematch with Lara was cut short due to a clash of heads but Warrington reclaimed this belt by stopping Kiko Martinez in the seventh round.
The 32-year-old is now eyeing victory here before moving on to a potential unification clash with Leo Santa Cruz and a trilogy fight with Lara.
However, he ruled out any thoughts of complacency, stating: “My head knows there are bigger fights.
“I know I’ve got to perform and if I don’t, I say goodbye to all the other fights, but if you do well, there’s opportunities to go on to bigger and better.”
We’re expecting the champion to focus on putting in a professional performance and he is backed to prevail on points at 5/4 in the Josh Warrington vs Luis Alberto Lopez odds.
Luis Alberto Lopez Odds
Lopez has lost a couple of decisions against Abraham Montoya and Ruben Villa but is currently on a winning run of nine and has reasons to be hopeful.
El Venado beat Andy Vences as an underdog at the MGM Grand in Las Vegas in July 2020 and also upset the undefeated Gabriel Flores via the judges’ scorecards 15 months ago.
The Mexican has experience of fighting in England, handing Isaac Lowe a first loss at the York Hall in Bethnal Green last December.
Assessing his challenger, Warrington commented: “Lopez is full of confidence, he’s made himself known quite a bit on social media, him and his team, and he has a big team behind him.
“He’s already lost twice in his career, he’s had a couple of lucky decisions, but he’s put himself into a mandatory position.
“But I am levels above. He’s boxed Isaac Lowe, but no disrespect to him, he’s not my level.
“This is my sixth world title fight and I’ve fought guys who are well above him.”
Both of these fighters have been involved in some tight tussles ending in split decisions, so 3/4 for Warrington in the ‘draw no bet’ market may interest some.
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