Angelo Leo scored a spectacular one-punch knockout of Luis Alberto Lopez in Round 10 to pull off an upset and win the IBF featherweight title Saturday in Albuquerque, New Mexico.
Albuquerque’s Leo (25-1, 12 KOs) uncorked a left hook that dropped Lopez flat on his back for the count of 10 at 1:16 of the round to become a two-division champion. The clean left hand sent Lopez crashing to the mat as the back of his head bounced off the canvas in a knockout of the year contender.
Lopez (30-3, 17 KOs) was transported to UNM Hospital following the KO loss for observation, a Top Rank spokesperson told ESPN. Leo was a +350 underdog, according to ESPN BET.
“Fighting back in my hometown, I always yearned for this moment,” said Leo, 30. “What better way to do it than with a world title shot and a knockout. That left hook we’ve been practicing all camp.”
Lopez was ahead 86-85 on one scorecard entering Round 10, while Leo was up by the same score on the other two cards in an action-packed fight. Leo entered the bout unranked by ESPN, while Lopez was No. 1 at 126 pounds.