In what is sure to be a Knockout of the Year candidate, Angelo Leo scored a spectacular one-punch stoppage of Luis Alberto Lopez to capture the IBF featherweight title Saturday at the Tingley Coliseum in Albuquerque, New Mexico.
Fighting in front of a hometown crowd, Albuquerque’s Leo (25-1, 12 KOs) essayed the upset with a left hook that dropped Lopez cold and flat on his back.
The end came at the 1:16 mark of Round 10.
As a precautionary measure, Lopez (30-3, 17 KOs) was transported to UNM Hospital for observation, a Top Rank spokesperson told reporters.
A steep underdog entering the ring (plus 350 per DraftKings) Leo was clearly buoyed by a partisan crowd.
“Fighting back in my hometown, I always yearned for this moment. What better way to do it than with a world title shot and a knockout,” said the 30-year old Leo.
It was a disappointing loss for Lopez who was the consensus No.1 fighter at the super competitive 126-pound division. It was his fourth defense of his belt and it ended a 13-fight winning streak.
