Tingley Coliseum in Albuquerque, NM, was the site that crowned a new IBF featherweight champion as Angelo Leo (25-1, 12 KOs) knocked out long-reigning champion Luis Alberto Lopez (30-3, 17 KOs) in ten rounds Saturday night. The contest was by far the best main event Top Rank has put on ESPN all year. With the victory, Leo becomes a two-division world champion.

The time of the highlight reel stoppage was 1:16 of the tenth round. I’ll explain how we got there, but you must see this shot. Barring boxing fans getting another miracle, the video below will win Knockout of the Year in 2024. If you are pressed for time, skip to 1:51.

“That left hook, we’ve been practicing in camp for four, five months Not in the gym, but in my room in front of the mirror I just kept throwing that left hook And it paid off in the 10th round.” Leo said after the fight.

Despite the overwhelming support for Leo from the crowd, Lopez, the reigning champion since his stunning victory over Josh Warrington in 2022, he remained unfazed. He was also favored in the contest. Lopez’s strategy was clear from the start: use his relentless pressure and aggression to draw Leo into a brawl, a challenge he readily accepted. Leo, in turn, countered Lopez’s movements with well-timed combinations, showcasing his determination and resilience.

That is how this fight played out throughout the night. As the fight marched on, so did the combinations for Leo, who threw more punches once the night was over Lopez (203-142) and at a higher percentage (42%) for Leo, to only 24% for Lopez.

The seventh round witnessed a dramatic turn when Leo unleashed a barrage of punches, starting with a thunderous left hook that momentarily staggered Lopez. This pivotal moment marked a significant shift in the fight, as Lopez, now feeling the heat, reverted to his aggressive tactics to reclaim dominance It is worth noting that this was a close affair with the scorecards at the time of the stoppage 86-85 by all three judges Two are for Leo, and one is for Lopez, respectively.

In the tenth round, Leo landed a clean left hook on Lopez that sounded like a cannon being fired. Only then did it reverberate through the arena of Lopez’s head. Lopez was out cold and sent to the shadow realm. With that shot, Leo emerged as the new IBF featherweight champion, and the crowd cheered excitedly.

“This means the world to me, fighting back in my hometown. I’ve been yearning for this moment. Like I said, what better way to do it than with a world title shot and a knockout, Leo said.

There isn’t any at all.