Via Charles Brun: Luis Alberto Lopez (27-2, 15 KOs) was forced to overcome the “dirty” tactics of IBF featherweight champion Josh Warrington (31-2-1, 8 KOs) on Saturday night to win the event. 12 decisive rounds at the First Direct Arena in Leeds, England.
Lopez, 29, says he “surprised” How’s the tape?”dirtyWarrington, 32, when he was hit in the leg, back, head, shoulder and nailed by the champion with rabbit punches.
Luis Alberto Lopez won the match with scores of 115-113, 115-113 and 114-114. However, many boxing fans consider it a more comprehensive victory than the score announced by the referee. Indeed, it seems that losing must at least win with a score of 117-111.
Mexican challenger Lopez felt that referee Bob Williams should have done his job to address the foul that Warrington often did in the game.
Immediately, Lopez was slashed in the left eye in the second half when Warrington rammed him in the head. While some boxing fans feel that Warrington’s headbutt was accidental, other fans consider it a deliberate act.
“I am very happy at the moment. It was a long time of preparation. As I said during the build, this is my moment. It comes from hard work in a long boxing career. I am very happy to be the world champion,” Luis Alberto Lopez told DAZN following his win over Josh Warrington on Saturday night in Leeds.
“I have to respect his coming to his city in front of his people. I know he’s a dirty boxer, but he surprised me even more,” Lopez talked about Warrington.
“He hit me in the leg, in the butt [backside], and the arbitrator; I don’t think he did his job tonight. I was very surprised. You have to be conscious, and you have to keep an eye on the boxers to make sure they don’t suffer any accidents.
“It’s really important. It is a dangerous sport. Boxers need to be taken care of,” Lopez said.
The punch to Lopez’s back in the ninth round injured him and he limped for a minute after that. Fortunately, the referee gave Lopez time to give up.
The rabbit punches that Warrington throws are even more unsettling, as they are continuous and visible. The referee didn’t fix that in the game and things got worse in rounds 10-12. In those last three rounds, Warrington unleashed rabbit punches at breakneck speed.
