Juan Antonio Lopez and Stephon Young will face off over a scheduled 10 rounds at the Downtown Las Vegas Event Center on Friday, September 30. At stake, the vacant WBA-NABA bantamweight title.
Born in Mexico, but fighting out of Dallas, Texas, 22-year-old Lopez is a four-year pro (11-1, 4 KOs) who won the WBC Youth Intercontinental bantamweight title in April 2014 by beating Isaac Torres via unanimous decision, a strap he lost by split decision to Oscar Cantu seven months later. “Tony,” a southpaw, last fought this May, knocking out previously unbeaten Jerren Cochran in the second.
His opponent, who’ll turn 28 on September 19, is a five-year ring vet (14-0-3, 6 KOs) who’s already fought for the WBA-NABA title, drawing against Nikolay Potapov this April. Undefeated, “Showstopper” last won in August 2015, stopping journeyman Terrance Roy by third-round TKO. Also a southpaw, Young fights out of his native St. Louis, Missouri.
Both fighters have impressive amateur records.
“I only want to fight the best,” says Lopez. “I don’t see anybody in front of me, I don’t see anybody beating me. I got all the tools necessary to take anybody out. When they start to slow down, I start to step on the gas.”
The fight will air live on CBS Sports Network.
This article was penned by the author who is not related to the WBA and the statements, expressions or opinions referenced herein are that of the author alone and not the WBA.
