Mexican Independence Day weekend will start with a much-anticipated matchup between IBF featherweight champion Luis Alberto Lopez (28-2, 16 KOs) and Joet Gonzalez (26-3, 15 KOs). This fight has a lot at stake for both men. Either man will benefit from a victory as bigger fights are on the horizon, but for Gonzalez, a loss could mean the end of his run with Top Rank. When plenty is on the line, fighters rise to the occasion, giving the fans a great fight.
WILL LUIS ALBERTO LOPEZ’S UNORTHODOX STYLE FINALLY CATCH UP TO HIM?
It’s no secret that Lopez’s style isn’t supposed to work, but it does and has gotten him this far. Every fighter he has faced looked at those wide-lopping shots and felt like they could get in between them to land something big. The problem is that it just hasn’t happened yet, and Lopez’s volume ends up wearing his opponents down and, in most cases, leading to a knockout or stoppage. Lopez won’t do anything different on Friday night; as the old saying goes, “If ain’t broke, don’t fix it.” We will get a steady diet of those wide shots against Gonzalez with some bad intentions to get him out of there and not allow the fight to go to the scorecards.
Lopez should expect Gonzalez to keep a tight, high-guard defense while coming forward and throwing combinations to the body and head. Lopez is going to have to punch with Gonzalez so that he can land clean shots to Gonzalez’s exposed body part. With that comes the risk of getting caught, but Lopez will take that chance if it means looking great against Gonzalez.
IS THIS THE MOMENT THAT JOET GONZALEZ CAN GET OVER THE TITLE FIGHT HUMP?
Gonzalez has been a good fighter for a while now, but he came up short each time he had the opportunity at a title. It wasn’t like he didn’t try; he faced elite-level fighters like Shakur Stevenson and Emanuel Navarrete, so there isn’t any shame in that. Although Gonzalez is only 29 years old, he has been a pro for 11 years and has taken some hard fights. This may be his last opportunity at a title shot and a fight period with his current promoter, Top Rank. They have been cleaning house lately to make room for the 2024 Olympic Class, so Gonzalez needs this fight.
As usual, Gonzalez will have to maintain the high guard but focus on Lopez’s chest/body and keep touching his shoulders. This could slow Lopez down and reduce the number of wide shots he throws. Gonzalez must be smart with his exchanges and do enough to win the rounds.
LUIS ALBERTO LOPEZ VS. JOET GONZALEZ PREDICTION
Although Gonzalez has never been knocked out or stopped, this will likely be the fight where it does happen, as Lopez will apply too much pressure throughout the fight. Lopez’s onslaught will lead to either a late stoppage or knockout. Either way, this fight doesn’t hear the sound of the last bell.
LUIS ALBERTO LOPEZ VS. JOET GONZALEZ BETTING ODDS
Per BetOnline.ag, Luis Alberto Lopez is the favorite at -800 (Under 10 ½ rounds +200), and Joet Gonzalez is the underdog at +500 (Over 10 ½ rounds -260).
LUIS ALBERTO LOPEZ VS. JOET GONZALEZ FIGHT DATE, START TIME
- Date: Friday, September 15
- Time: 10:00 p.m. ET / 7:00 p.m. PT
- Main event ringwalks (approx): 11:30 p.m. ET / 8:30 p.m. PT
These timings could change due to the length of the undercard fights.
WHAT CHANNEL/STREAM IS LUIS ALBERTO LOPEZ VS. JOET GONZALEZ?
- U.S.: ESPN, ESPN+, ESPN Deportes
- UK: Sky Sports
LUIS ALBERTO LOPEZ VS. JOET GONZALEZ FIGHT CARD
- Luis Alberto Lopez vs. Joet Gonzalez; For Lopez's IBF world featherweight title
- Xander Zayas vs. Roberto Valenzuela Jr.; middleweight
- Omar Aguilar vs. Julio Luna; welterweight
- Jamaine Ortiz vs. Antonio Moran; lightweight
- Robson Conceicao vs. Humberto Galindo; junior lightweight
- Ruben Villa vs. Brandon Valdes; featherweight
- Tiger Johnson vs. Ricardo Quiroz; junior welterweight
