Blame cast by Luis Alberto Lopez’s team over career-threatening injury

The career of Luis Alberto Lopez is in jeopardy after he suffered a brutal 10th-round knockout at the hands of Angelo Leo in August.

The knockout, delivered by a lead left hook that sent Lopez’s IBF featherweight title to Leo, occurred at Tingley Coliseum and left Lopez with a brain bleed, casting serious doubt on his future in the ring.

What is thus far the greatest night of Leo’s career may wind up being Lopez’s final moment in the ring.

Lopez’s co-manager, Hector Fernandez de Cordova, did not hold back in his criticism of the bout’s handling, particularly singling out referee Ernie Sharif.

“It was one of the worst referees I’ve seen in my life in boxing,” Fernandez said. “A guy like that does not deserve to be in the ring at a world title level – or even with amateurs. He’s a butcher. As a referee, you need to protect fighters from each other and from themselves.”

The situation escalated further after the fight, with Lopez’s team claiming it faced resistance from the New Mexico Athletic Commission to ensure Lopez follow-up medical attention.

“The commission was trying to convince me not to take him to the hospital,” Fernandez said. “They were like, ‘You don’t need to.’ But I was thinking, ‘If you guys don’t want to pay for it, it’s OK. I’ll pay for it. But we’re talking about my fighter’s health.’ He didn’t even know the fight was over.”

Lopez was eventually transported to the hospital, where he stayed overnight for observation. “The neurologist told us the bleed stopped, but we’ll need another MRI in six months,” Fernandez said. “If Lopez still wants to continue fighting, I’m going to reject any offer until we get that MRI. For me, it’s not about money or legacy; it’s about the life of the fighter. They’re like my kids, my siblings. I wouldn’t put them in any danger.”

Fernandez also clarified that Lopez’s injury was not caused by a legal punch attempt. Instead, he believes the brain bleed resulted from rabbit punches, explaining that the doctor informed him the bleed was at a 72-degree angle over Lopez’s left ear.

When reached for comment, Leo defended his performance, insisting his actions were within the rules. “I don’t consider myself a dirty fighter,” Leo said. “I would never aim for the back of the head due to the damages I have seen it do to other fighters.”

Leo acknowledged the physical nature of the bout but maintained that his punches were legal. “I think a lot of the action was on the inside,” Leo said. “We were both throwing hooks to the side of the head, which are legal blows. I was warned once for a rabbit punch because he was dipping low, but other than that, I don’t think it altered the fight’s course.”

Adding complexity to the situation is the IBF’s 10-pound weigh-in limit on the morning of the fight, which requires fighters to weigh within 10 pounds of their previous day’s weight. Lopez, who has fought as heavy as lightweight, may have struggled with the weight cut, potentially weakening him before the fight – an issue that has yet to be widely addressed.

Despite these concerns, the most pressing issue remains Lopez’s brain injury, a stark reminder of the risks fighters take and the thin line between triumph and tragedy in boxing.

Lucas Ketelle is a proud member of the Boxing Writers Association of America and author of “Inside The Ropes of Boxing” (available on Amazon). Contact him on X @LukieBoxing.