Philippines, 07 Feb 2026
  Home >> News

 


BOXERS

CURRENT CHAMPIONS 

FORMER CHAMPIONS   

RATINGS                       

NEWS           

FORUM        

FIGHT GALLERIES        

RING CARD GIRLS        


 
 
News  


Press Conference Notes: Featherweight King Venado Lopez and Hometown Hero Angelo Leo Set for ABQ Showdown

PhilBoxing.com




Lopez-Leo & Lindolfo Delgado-Bryan Flores junior welterweight co-feature will be broadcast LIVE Saturday beginning at 10 p.m. ET/7 p.m. PT

ALBUQUERQUE, N.M. (Aug 8, 2024)— Mexico's Road Warrior is ready to risk his title — once again — on enemy turf.

Venado Lopez (30-2, 17 KOs) will defend his IBF featherweight world championship against Angelo Leo (24-1, 11 KOs) on Saturday, Aug. 10, at Tingley Coliseum in Leo’s hometown of Albuquerque, New Mexico. Lopez won his world title in December 2022, upsetting Josh Warrington on the road in Leeds, England. His first title defense, a May 2023 knockout of Michael Conlan, came before a sold-out crowd in Conlan's hometown of Belfast.

In the 10-round junior welterweight co-feature, Lindolfo Delgado (20-0, 15 KOs) and Bryan Flores (26-0-1, 15 KOs) will lock horns in an all-Mexican showdown.

Venado-Leo and Delgado-Flores will be broadcast LIVE on ESPN, ESPN Deportes & ESPN+ at 10 p.m. ET/7 p.m. PT.

Undercard action, streaming exclusively on ESPN+, begins at 5:50 p.m. ET/2:50 p.m. PT and features Albuquerque native Matthew Griego (14-0, 10 KOs) fighting late replacement opponent Gilberto Mendoza (23-18-4, 11 KOs) in an eight-round rematch at flyweight. Griego defeated Mendoza via six-round unanimous decision in June 2022.

Junior middleweight contender Vito Mielnicki Jr. (18-1, 12 KOs) will make his Top Rank debut in a 10-rounder against Laszlo Toth (32-8-2, 20 KOs).

Promoted by Top Rank, in association with Legacy Boxing Promotions, tickets are on sale via Etix.com.

This is what the fighters had to say at Thursday's press conference.

Venado Lopez

“I’m used to being taken to different parts of the world. London. Leeds. It doesn’t matter where I go. Venado Lopez, the ‘Road Warrior,’ will always do his job. I work hard in the gym to do what I have to do. If we can end the fight early, we’ll do that. Either way, I’m coming back home as a world champion.”

“We always work on everything. We work on speed. We work on strength. We work on defense. We try to improve everything. I work really hard in the gym. So, the camp ends up really well. Angelo Leo is a former world champion. He wants to be a world champion again. So, we expect the best version of him, and it will be a war.”

Angelo Leo

“This means the world to me. Fighting back in my hometown is something I’ve always wanted. And what better way to do it than with a title shot.”

“In my last fight, the main goal was to win. I knew everything else would fall into place with a Venado fight.”

Lindolfo Delgado

"I like getting in the ring and doing things well. I don't do things just to do them. And all of that has helped me. Aside from that, I also like boxing. And I've been taught well in the gym as well."

"They always put really good fighters against me, and like I said, I always try to get better with each fight with every preparation. Every preparation is the same, but I try to do things a bit better. So, that's what we did for this camp."

Bryan Flores

"I feel blessed. Aside from the result this Saturday, I feel like a winner already because of all the work I did in the gym. I'm confident. I come with the confidence of having done everything in the gym. Lindolfo is a great fighter and opponent for me. I know it's going to be a difficult fight, where he can win the {WBO Latino title} as well. But I know it will be a big war on Saturday."

Matthew Griego

"It's a dream come true. Fighting on one of these cards for any boxer is a dream come true. It's just the start of something."

"I just have to go in there and put on a show. I want to be impressive. That's what I plan to do."

"Business as usual. We should be able to adapt to the {late-notice opponent}."

Vito Mielnicki Jr.

"This is what I've been doing since I was 7 years old. It's all I've done. It's my dream. So, for me to be on this platform, this stage, is a blessing. I'm going to take advantage of every opportunity I get."

"I just want to continue to grow and build on what we've already built. And I'm excited for the next part of my journey."


Saturday, Aug. 10

ESPN, ESPN Deportes and ESPN+ (10 p.m. ET/7 p.m. PT)

Venado Lopez vs. Angelo Leo, 12 rounds, Lopez's IBF Featherweight World Title

Lindolfo Delgado vs. Bryan Flores, 10 rounds, Vacant WBO Latino Junior Welterweight Title

ESPN+ (5:50 p.m. ET/2:50 p.m. PT)

Matthew Griego vs Gilberto Mendoza, 8 rounds, Flyweight

Vito Mielnicki Jr. vs. Laszlo Toth, 10 rounds, junior middleweight

Albert Gonzalez vs. Damian Alcala, 6 rounds, featherweight

Alan Garcia vs. Maickol Lopez Villagrana, 8 rounds, lightweight

Steven Navarro vs. Israel Camacho, 6 rounds, bantamweight

Arnold Khegai vs. Belmar Preciado, 10 rounds, featherweight




Recent PhilBoxing.com In-House articles:

  • Undefeated Middleweight Sebastian Juarez Returns to the Ring February 6 in Guadalajara
    , Fri, 06 Feb 2026
  • Esquillo, Arpilleda to compete at Lunar Horse Battle Royal 10-Ball Tournament at Pacman's Cue Club
    By Marlon Bernardino, , Fri, 06 Feb 2026
  • WEIGHTS AND RUNNING ORDER FOR MEDINA VS. CURIEL IN MEXICO, PLUS MAIN EVENT QUOTES
    , Fri, 06 Feb 2026
  • Rene Tellez Giron & Luis Torres Battle for Mexican Pride in 10-Round Main Event of ProBoxTV’s ‘The Contender Series’
    , Fri, 06 Feb 2026
  • Gomera and Ding are set to clash for the WBC Asia 126 belt
    By Carlos Costa, , Thu, 05 Feb 2026
  • “Thunderdome 53 is stacked and I cant wait to see these fights March 13 at Thunderdome 53 - Promoter Tony Tolj
    , Thu, 05 Feb 2026
  • WORLD ELITE SUMO MAKES ITS PRUDENTIAL CENTER DEBUT ON SATURDAY, APRIL 18
    , Thu, 05 Feb 2026
  • Sumalinog Brothers Score Wins in Bohol; Sign with Monty Flores (PHOTOS)
    By Carlos Costa, , Thu, 05 Feb 2026
  • MANNY PACQUIAO PROMOTIONS ANNOUNCES AGREEMENT WITH TEAM BOXING LEAGUE
    , Thu, 05 Feb 2026
  • Trifon Petrov unveils the signing of another USA Team member in Ariana Carrasco
    , Thu, 05 Feb 2026
  • Jerome Gonzales off to a marvelous start in J&P 10 Ball Cup at Pacman's Cue Club
    By Marlon Bernardino, , Thu, 05 Feb 2026
  • DCL amateur MMA on Feb. 21 at Sta. Lucia Mall
    By Lito delos Reyes, , Thu, 05 Feb 2026
  • THE PAST WEEK IN ACTION 3 FEBRUARY 2026: Shakur Schools Teofimo to Become 4-Division Champ; Zayas Unifies WBA/WBO Superwelter; Kelly Beats Murtazaliev
    By Eric Armit, , Wed, 04 Feb 2026
  • Round 12 with Mauricio Sulaimán: A Grand Week for Boxing in NY
    By Mauricio Sulaimán, , Wed, 04 Feb 2026
  • Boxlab Promotions Euri Cedeno and Carlos De Leon Castro Shine in San Juan Victories
    , Wed, 04 Feb 2026
  • National Boxing Hall of Fame 2026 is set to April 26 in Montebello, California
    By Gabriel F. Cordero, , Wed, 04 Feb 2026
  • Vito Mielnicki Jr. Returns Home to Defend WBC USA, IBF USBA and WBO Global Middleweight Championships Against Omar Ulises Huerta
    , Wed, 04 Feb 2026
  • Noah Lucas Palcis sees action in Bangkok chess meet
    By Marlon Bernardino, , Wed, 04 Feb 2026
  • Reymond Yanong Edges Out Hayato Ono for Split Decision Win in Japan
    By Carlos Costa, , Tue, 03 Feb 2026
  • “I’m gonna smoke whoever is in front of me, Anthony Wright- Hearn makes his pro debut March 13 at Thunderdome 53
    , Tue, 03 Feb 2026
  • Pacman's Cue Club Hosts J&P 10 Ball Cup from Feb. 4 to 7
    By Marlon Bernardino, , Tue, 03 Feb 2026
  • Mt. Apo Boulder Face Challenge is back
    By Lito delos Reyes, , Tue, 03 Feb 2026
  • WILDER AND CHISORA FACE OFF IN ICONIC TIMES SQUARE TO ANNOUNCE APRIL 4 HEAVYWEIGHT SHOWDOWN AT THE O2 LONDON
    , Tue, 03 Feb 2026
  • World Boxing appoints Tom Dielen as new Secretary General
    , Tue, 03 Feb 2026
  • Sullivan Management signs 19-1 power-punching Albanian heavyweight Kristian Prenga
    , Tue, 03 Feb 2026




  •  



     
    PhilBoxing.com has been created to support every aspiring
    Filipino boxer and the Philippine boxing scene in general.
    Please send comments to feedback@philboxing.com


    PRIVATE POLICY | LEGAL DISCLAIMER
    developed and maintained by dong secuya
    © 2026 philboxing.com.