Lopez retains IBF featherweight title

Luis Alberto “El Venado” Lopez retained his IBF featherweight title against the 30-year-old mandatory challenger Reiya Abe (25-4-1; 10) on an eighth-round technical knockout at the Turning Stone Resort and Casino in Verona, New York on Saturday night.

Early in the fight, Lopez hurt Abe with a left hook to the eye that left the challenger with swelling that began to close.

Abe battled on but it was the champion who was in control and punished him.

However, the referee eventually stopped the fight 39 seconds into the eighth round.

This win took the 30-year-old Lopez from Mexicali, Mexico, to 30-2; 17.

This was Lopez’s third defence of the title that he won in December 2022 from Josh Warrington and defended twice last year, against Michael Conlan (tko 5) and Joet Gonzalez (UD12).

The main event between WBA/IBF/WBO female featherweight champion Amanda Serrano (46-2-1; 20) and Nina Meinke (18-3; 4) was cancelled. Serrano failed an eye test.

JAKE PAUL WINS IN THE FIRST ROUND

Cruiserweight Jake “The Problem Child” Paul (9-1; 6) smashed the more experienced Ryan Bourland (17-3; 6) to defeat in the first round on Saturday night at the Coliseo Jose Miguel Agrelot in San Juan, Puerto Rico. The time was 2:37.

WBO light flyweight champion Jonathan “Bomba” Gonzalez (28-3-1; 14) retained his title on a 12-round unanimous points decision against Rene Santiago (12-4; 9). The scores were 117-111, 116-112, and 115-113.

In a junior lightweight contest, Christopher “Pitufo” Diaz (28-4; 18) won on a second-round knockout against Headley Scott (18-2; 12). The time was 1:48.

BARAOU WINS WBA ELIMINATOR

In a WBA junior middleweight eliminator, WBA No 11 Abass Baraou (15-1; 9) won on a majority 12-round decision over WBA No 15 Sam “The Savage” Eggington (34-9; 20) on Friday night at the Telford International Centre in Telford, England.

In a closely fought encounter, Baraou began to dominate in the later rounds to win with scores of 114-114 and 117-111, 117-112. Baraou also won the vacant European title.

In a bout between unbeaten super middleweights, Andrei Dascalu (10-0; 3) stopped Joe Jackson-Brown (7-1; 4) in 85 seconds of the first round. Jackson-Brown was down twice.

Heavyweight Matty Harris (6-1; 4) outscored Amine Boucetta (8-11; 0) over four rounds. The scores were 40-36.

Lightweight Sultan Zaurbek (17-0; 12) outpointed Victor Julio (17-11; 9) over eight rounds.

SANTANDER OUTSCORES MIRANDA

Heavyweight Brayan Santander (11-0; 7) won on a unanimous eight-round points decision over the 43-year-old Edison “Pantera” Miranda (36-12; 31) on Thursday at the Club La Pradera in Carmen de Apicala, Colombia. The scores were 80-72, 80-72, 79-73.