Lopez vs Leo 8/10 Boxing Bets: Who Takes Featherweight Gold?
- Luis Alberto Lopez enters his fifth IBF featherweight title bout this weekend in New Mexico.
- With a home crowd in support, Angelo Leo looks to defy the odds and become the new 126-pound champion.
- Find the best boxing odds for Lopez vs. Leo at BetUS Sportsbook.
Bloodthirsty Mexican pugilist standout Luis Alberto Lopez is the No.1-ranked (The Ring) 126-pounder in the world, and this Saturday, he’ll defend his IBF title in front of a home-away-from-home crowd in New Mexico, but coincidently, the Mexican roots of his opponent will own the local support as the man who’s born and bred in the Land of Enchantment.
The big-money, attention-drawing fights have escaped “El Venado” thus far, but an electric performance over a very game Angelo Leo might launch him into the elite category of matchups he so desires.
The championship boxing odds are live, and Lopez is the favorite, but before you start wagering money left, right and center, consider reading my complete breakdown and analysis of Lopez vs. Leo below!
Fight week from the Land of Enchantment 🌄#LopezLeo | @C4Energy pic.twitter.com/9WyGlbiKhe
— Top Rank Boxing (@trboxing) August 5, 2024
Lopez vs. Leo Event Information
- Date & Time: Saturday, Aug. 10 – 09:00 p.m. ET
- Location: Tingley Coliseum, Albuquerque, New Mexico
- Promotion: Top Rank
- Scheduled Bouts: 8
- How to Watch: ESPN+
- Main Event Bout: Luis Alberto Lopez vs. Angelo Leo
- Co-Main Event Bout: Lindolfo Delgado vs. Bryan Flores
Lopez vs. Leo Betting Odds
Luis Alberto Lopez: ‘El Venado’
Luis Lopez has earned the respect of boxing enthusiasts by prevailing as the underdog on multiple occasions. First, he won the IBF title from England’s Josh Warrington. Then, he destroyed Ireland’s Michael Conlan in his first title defense despite being placed in an underdog position yet again in boxing lines.
Following those pair of impressive victories over well-respected names, Lopez suddenly went from the overlooked fighter to the man to beat at featherweight. A tough battle with Joet Gonzalez halted the hype ever so slightly, but after he punished mandatory challenger Reiya Abe earlier this year, he etched his name as the best at 126 pounds in the eyes of many.
🇲🇽Luis Alberto Lopez brutally stopping Mick Conlan in Belfast pic.twitter.com/SUCKfi9zdV
— Tokkerū (@ATokkers5) August 5, 2024
Angelo ‘El Chinito’ Leo
New Mexico’s own Angelo Leo is familiar with championship status. He outworked Tramaine Williams in 2020 and, as a result, became the WBO super bantamweight champ. It was a short reign because Stephen Fulton ended it five months later, and it was time for Leo to test himself at 126 pounds.
“El Chinito” made an instant impact on the featherweight division, but an opportunity at gold in a new weight class took a hit when he remained inactive for over two years. Not one to dwell on the past, Leo’s 2023 comeback saw him cover lost ground, and in the last five months, he’s racked up three straight wins en route to achieving his chance at becoming a titleholder in a second division.
Angelo Leo is ready to hear ‘AND NEW’ Saturday night 👀#LopezLeo | AUG 10 | @ESPN pic.twitter.com/ylf4ftcJQ1
— Top Rank Boxing (@trboxing) August 7, 2024
Take A Look At These Other 2 Boxing Special Articles
- Ortiz Jr. vs. Bohachuk Boxing Picks for 8/10: Somebody Will Take a Nap!
- Boxing Parlay Picks Feature Lopez, Leo, Delgado & More! 8/10
Lopez: ‘Like All Mexicans … I like to Throw Punches’
In a recent interview with ESPN, Lopez discussed his in-ring work and alluded to the fact that he fights like most of his fellow compatriots in Mexico:
“Like all Mexicans, I do my job in the ring, and I like to throw punches. I don’t mind getting hit in order to hit. We work to be able to do all of that in the ring. I will prepare for that. And I’m happy that people like my work.”
A style that’s DEMOLISHING 😤
🇲🇽 The Road Warrior: Luis Alberto Lopez is live now on ESPN+ and the TR YouTube Channel. pic.twitter.com/ogtei61ehv
— Top Rank Boxing (@trboxing) August 7, 2024
Lopez vs. Leo: Tale of the Tape
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Lopez v Leo: Skillset Breakdown
If you’re hoping to see a defensive masterclass with 12 rounds of technical prowess, Lopez isn’t the champion to watch. If you enjoy firefights with plenty of offensive and explosive action, he’s your guy. Lopez put it best: “I don’t mind getting hit in order to hit,” and this sentiment has remained true in many of his contests.
He isn’t constantly a forward-moving pressure fighter, but with his hands low and a durable chin to back it up, he can walk through the incoming shots and, as he said, take some to give some.
Luis Alberto Lopez is one of the most entertaining boxers right now, he just smiles like a maniac whilst throwing punches from ridiculous angles pic.twitter.com/hpQzPw2Jp6
— 🌴ᴛʜᴇᴀʀᴛᴏꜰᴡᴀʀ🌴 (@TheArtOfWar6) May 30, 2023
Fortunately for Lopez, Angelo Leo isn’t known for his power shots so that aforementioned brawling style could work to his advantage. However, Leo is predominantly a counter-puncher who’s always ready to return fire, whether at range or in the pocket.
It’s an interesting stylistic matchup, and Lopez might force more aggression out of Leo than we’re used to seeing. Another factor to note is the Albuquerque crowd, which gives the underdog a home advantage and potentially some favoritism on the scorecards.
Who Can Beat Luis Alberto Lopez At 126lbs? ⚖️#LopezLeo #boxing pic.twitter.com/mElG71OJNi
— Eat Sleep Boxing Repeat (@ESBRBoxing) August 6, 2024
Lopez vs. Leo Trends
- Lopez has won 2 of his 4 IBF title bouts via decision
- Leo hasn’t lost a pro boxing bout via KO/TKO
- Leo has gone the distance in 4 of his previous 6 bouts
From a Betting Perspective
The current BetUS sportsbook odds for Lopez versus Leo are too wide for my liking. While the champ is undeniably the more aggressive, up-tempo fighter, he isn’t indestructible, and some of his past losses have come against unknown names in the world of boxing. Leo is an intelligent boxer and arguably holds the more technical style, which isn’t reflected on the betting line.
That said, I believe Lopez can make a bigger impact in more rounds than he doesn’t. He’s steadily progressed to the top tiers of the featherweight division, and with a potential Naoya Inoue clash awaiting him, we might see the best version of El Venado this weekend.
This Saturday’s IBF featherweight championship bout won’t be a landslide victory by any means, and the durability of Leo will keep him in the fight, albeit one he loses, as the tricky and fearless approach of Lopez collects his fifth straight victory.
Best Bet: Lopez by Decision (-165)
Odds and information are accurate at the time of writing. Please check with official sources for the latest updates before placing any bets.
Question of the Day
Where can I watch Luis Alberto Lopez vs. Angelo Leo?
Boxing fans in the United States can stream Lopez vs. Leo this Saturday on EPSN+. The broadcast will begin at 10 p.m. ET, with Lopez and Leo expected to make their ring walks around 11 p.m. ET.
