Luis Alberto López vs Joet Gonzalez Prediction: the Fighters Will Drag Out the Bout

On September 16, Mexican Luis Alberto Lopez will defend the IBF featherweight belt for the second time. The challenger for the belt is the American Joet Gonzalez.

Luis Alberto Lopez (28-2, 16 KOs) went through thorns and trials on his way to the title. He suffered both early losses (to Abraham Montoya and Ruben Villa) but then changed his training regimen and defeated Andy Vance in a brutal bout. He had a tough time with undefeated prospect Gabriel Flores Jr. Lopez then moved up to welterweight and stopped another undefeated prospect, Isaac Lowe, in seven rounds.

After these solid wins, the Mexican earned his shot at an IBF title shot and beat Josh Warrington in his hometown of Leeds, England. In his first defense, the 29-year-old champion defeated Michael Conlan by technical knockout in the fifth round.

He is ready for his next defense and motivated by the fact that he will finally be fighting at home after two bouts away.

I am happy to fight on an important date for Mexico where Joet Gonzalez and I will be representing our country. I respect him because he has had great fights. He has done a great job in his career. But you know that when we get in the ring there is no respect. I am going to take this belt home for my family and for Mexico. It’s going to be a total war. When there are two hungry Mexicans in the ring, they always go at it with everything. We know that Joet Gonzalez is tough.

Luis Alberto Lopez

Joet Gonzalez (26-3, 15 KOs) made his professional boxing debut in 2012 and was on a 23-0 streak until facing Shakur Stevenson for the vacant WBO featherweight title. Since that fight, Joet has alternated wins and losses. He failed again in a bout for the WBO belt, this time to a Fighter of the Year contender, Emanuel Navarrete.

And now he has his third opportunity to win a world title after defeating Enrique Vivas by a ten-round unanimous decision in April.

This is my third {world title} opportunity. I’m truly grateful. I’ve worked really hard every single time. And every time I step into the ring, I give it my all. I’ve got to win. I’ve always trained hard. I’ve never taken any shortcuts. I’ve always put in the hard work in the gym. But sometimes it’s not your night. It is what it is. But I’m still here, and I’m going to give it my all every time. I’m expecting a great fight. It’s a big day for Mexico. All I have to do is win and become the new IBF world champion. Plain and simple. I can’t go home empty-handed. I’m bringing that belt back home.

Joet Gonzalez

Gonzalez's attempts to become champion have become a habit, but this time, his opponent is not as formidable as the previous ones. The only problem is that he may not handle Lopez. The Mexican knows how to beat opponents with a physical advantage, and his experience in heavy championship fights will also help. Lopez's technique and style resemble Shakur Stevenson's, and Gonzalez was helpless against him. However, Lopez is not Stevenson, and his victory will not be easy. That's why we think the bout will be a long one.