Joet Gonzalez (26-3, 15 KO’s), who is ranked at number one by the WBO, is calling for a showdown with the IBF’s world champion, Luis Alberto “Venado” Lopez {28-2, 16 KOs).
Lopez traveled to Leeds in December to capture the IBF title with a big decision win over Josh Warrington.
Last month, the champion followed up that win with a fifth round knockout of Irish Olympian Michael Conlan at the SSE Arena in Belfast.
Gonzalez has advised his manager, Frank Espinoza, to get him the fight with Lopez. Both fighters are promoted by Top Rank.
“It was a great win for Venado Lopez. He’s the one to beat right now. He’s an exciting, aggressive power puncher,” acknowledges Gonzalez.
“He’s being referred to as some kind of monster in our division. But he hasn’t fought anyone like me. He’s never fought anyone at my level. I want that belt and it’s a fight I know I can win. I’ve spoken to my manager Frank Espinoza and I told him I want this fight.”
Espinoza, who also manages former two-division champion Oscar Valdez, intends to speak to Top Rank with the hope of getting the two fighters in the ring.
“I think the styles mesh perfectly,” Espinoza said. “Their styles combine for a competitive and exciting fight. I think Joet is more technically sound than Venado and I think he defeats him.”
Gonzalez, who has never been stopped, recently recovered from a razor-thin split decision loss to Isaac Dogoe from back in July of last year. Gonzalez’s only other defeat came at the hands of two-division world champion Emanuel Navarrete in October of 2021.
He returned to the ring in April to win a ten round unanimous decision over Enrique Vivas.