Luis Alberto Lopez outworks Josh Warrington to capture IBF featherweight title

Luis Alberto Lopez withstood a late rally from hometown hero Josh Warrington to claim the IBF featherweight championship by majority decision Saturday at First Direct Arena in Leeds, England.

Scores were 114-114, and 115-113 twice.

In the opening stanza, Warring popped sharp jabs. Lopez (27-2, 15 KOs) fired winging hooks. Warrington (31-2, 8 KOs) blocked most of them and landed a few sharp counters. Lopez ate a combination in round two.

Warrington moved while the awkward Lopez went to the body. An accidental head butt to Lopez halted the action. Both fighters were bloody.

Lopez,29, clipped Warrington with a hook in round three. Warrington landed a right, and seconds later, a left hook. Lopez let fly with an uppercut and right that landed. Warrington scored at the bell. Good work from Warrington behind his left jab in round four. Lopez landed a combination. Warrington caught Lopez with left hands.

Close fight thru four rounds. The awkward Lopez was busier.

Lopez came out aggressively in round five  - connecting with a heavy left. Warrington,31, used his legs, jabbing while Lopez worked well on the inside. In round six, Warrington landed a left hand. He pushed Lopez into the ropes and fired. Both fighters connected with solid bodyshots. Lopez scored with combinations. Warrington stopped him with a jab. Lopez clubbed Warrington – who scored in the less 10 seconds of the heat.

Warrington went to the body and head in round seven. Lopez, easily the stronger fighter, continued to work downstairs. The blows were solid. Warrington clipped him with a right to the jaw. Lopez walked to Warrington and fired.

In round eight, Lopez skipped toward Warrington. Lopez scored with an uppercut – Warrington with a one-two. Lopez clipped Warrington with a left and right to the jaw. Lopez dug into the body and fired a left hook and uppercut to the head.

Lopez was feeling it. The momentum seemed to be his. Warrington scored with a right, but he couldn’t hurt Lopez. Warrington landed a left. He jabbed and rallied. Lopez complained.

In round 10, Warrington jabbed. Lopez launched. Warrington smothered Lopez and jabbed. Lopez scored with a left and right.

Lopez was likely ahead on the scorecards. He started well in round 11 with a variety of punches. Warrington jabbed and scored with a right and left hook. Lopez ate two more punches but punched back. Warrington went to the body. He landed a crunching double left hook that seemed to hurt Lopez.  

In the 12^th and final round, Warrington continued his rally. Lopez landed some blows as Warrington tried to counter. The defending champion (but not much longer) worked the body. Lopez fought back. Warrington clipped Lopez with a right to the chin.