On Saturday 02 March 2024 live from New York, Luiz Alberto Lopez vs Reiya Abe headlines a night of boxing from Top Rank for the IBF World championships. There’s two World title Featherweight clashes as Kholmatov vs Ford also features on the undercard for the WBA title.
Luiz Alberto Lopez vs Reiya Abe
Mexican Luis Alberto Lopez (29-2) defends his IBF crown against Japanese contender Reiya Abe (25-3-1). El Venado captured his IBF Bantamweight championship with victory over the Leeds Warrior Josh Warrington in 2022.
Lopez followed up that victory with a massive KO over Irishman Michael Conlan, leaving his boxing career in serious jeopardy. Luis Alberto Lopez also defended his title against Joet Gonzales in September winning via Unanimous Decision.
Lopez’s next fight will be against Reiya Abe. Abe enters the bout with three losses on his record and is stepping up to world title level for the first time. Reiya Abe is undefeated since 2019 and has racked up 6 consecutive victories.
Both Lopez and Reiya Abe are unbeaten since 2019. The winner of Lopez vs Abe will have close eyes on the undercard and a possible unification with Kholmatov or Ford.
Otabek Kholmatov vs Raymond Ford
On the undercard, Leigh Wood’s vacated WBA World Featherweight title is up for grabs. Otabek Kholmatov (12-0) vs Raymond Ford (14-0-1) will be the chief supporting bout for the vacant belt. Both Featherweights enter unbeaten.
Uzbekistan’s Kholmatov was made mandatory to face Leigh Wood until a special exemption allowed for Wood vs Warrington to take place. With the championship vacated, highest ranked contender Raymond Ford was named to challenge Kholmatov.
Neither of the fighters have a particularly active 2023. Raymond Ford fought just once securing a Unanimous Decision over Jessie Magdaleno in April. Otabek Kholmatov beat Thomas Patrick Ward in April via TKO. After failing to secure his World title shot, he eventually took a 8 round bout against Balon Hernandez Acosta, winning via TKO in the final round.
Rest of the Card
Nico Ali Walsh returns from his first loss on the undercard of Luiz Alberto Lopez vs Reiya Abe . The grandson of Muhammad Ali suffered back-to-back losses, albeit the first one has now been overturned to a No Contest. He ended 2023 losing on points to Sona Akale. Nico Ali Walsh vs Luke Iannuccilli will feature on the televised card.
Rohan Polanco (11-0) vs Tarik Zaina (13-0-1) will contest 8 rounds in the Welterweight division, with both ben boasting unbeaten records.
Brian Norman Jr (25-0) vs Janelson Bocachica (17-2-1) contest 10 rounds in the Welterweight division.
📅Date📅
UK: Sunday 03 March 2024
US: Saturday 02 March 2024
🏟️Venue🏟️
Luiz Alberto Lopez vs Reiya Abe is being held at the Turning Stone Resort and Casino, in New York USA.
📺TV Channels📺
Lopez vs Abe will be broadcast on ESPN+ in the USA.
Lopez vs Reiya Abe will also be broadcast on Sky Sports in the UK.
🥊Undercard🥊
Luiz Alberto Lopez vs Reiya Abe
IBF World Featherweight title
Otabek Kholmatov vs Raymond Ford
WBA World Featherweight title (Vacant)
Nico Ali Walsh vs Luke Iannuccilli
Brian Norman Jr vs Janelson Bocachica
Rohan Polanco vs Tarik Zaina
Troy Isley vs Marcos Hernandez
Duke Ragan vs Brandon Valdes
Floyd Diaz vs Edwin Rodriguez
Brandon Moore vs Helaman Olguin
Bryce Mills vs Gerffred Ngayot
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