Melvin Lopez: record, next fight and profile →
Emmanuel Rodriguez became a two-time IBF bantamweight champion Saturday night, securing a unanimous decision over Melvin Lopez in headlining action live on Showtime from The Theater at MGM National Harbor in Maryland.
Rodriguez, Lopez Fight Photos Gallery - MGM National Harbor, Oxon Hill - For the vacant IBF bantamweight title, Emmanuel Rodriguez (22-2, 13 KOs) became a two-time beltholder with a dominant twelve round unanimous decision over Melvin Lopez (29-2, 19 KOs). (photos by Amanda Westscott)
Emmanuel Rodriguez regained the IBF bantamweight title Saturday night that he lost to a “Monster” four years ago. Rodriguez knocked Melvin Lopez to the canvas three times in the final 45 seconds of their 12-round, 118-pound championship match and easily won it by unanimous decision at MGM National Harbor in Oxon Hill, Maryland. Judges Waleska Roldan (120-105), Robin Taylor (120-105) and Paul Wallace (120-105) all scored their “Showtime Championship Boxing” main event a shutout for the 31-year-old Rodriguez.
The final bantamweight title vacancy in the post-Naoya Inoue era will have at least one interested observer from the other side of the world. Jason Moloney will be among those to track Saturday’s clash between former IBF titlist Emmanuel Rodriguez and first-time title challenger Melvin Lopez. Their vacant IBF bantamweight title fight takes place Saturday evening on Showtime from MGM National Harbor in Oxon Hill, Maryland.
Emmanuel Rodriguez could not be more thrilled to potentially join the boxing revival enjoyed by his beloved island. The past eight months have seen Amanda Serrano become Puerto Rico’s first ever undisputed champion and Subriel Matias and Oscar Collazo both win major titles for Puerto Rico. Rodriguez is now one win away from adding to the
Russell, Cruz Weights Photos Gallery - Rodriguez vs. Lopez will see former world champion Emmanuel Rodriguez take on streaking contender Melvin Lopez for the vacant IBF Bantamweight World Championship headlining action live on SHOWTIME on Saturday, August 12 in a Premier Boxing Champions event from The Theater at MGM National Harbor in Maryland. (photos by Amanda Westcott)
Rodriguez, Lopez Weights Photos Gallery - Rodriguez vs. Lopez will see former world champion Emmanuel Rodriguez take on streaking contender Melvin Lopez for the vacant IBF Bantamweight World Championship headlining action live on SHOWTIME on Saturday, August 12 in a Premier Boxing Champions event from The Theater at MGM National Harbor in Maryland. (photos by Amanda Westcott)
Emmanuel Rodriguez had a little more trouble than Melvin Lopez making weight Friday for their bantamweight championship match.
There was never a point where Emmanuel Rodriguez questioned the process. A knockout loss to Naoya Inoue ended his IBF bantamweight title reign, though there wasn’t any shame in the defeat that May 2019 night or especially in the aftermath.
Rodriguez, Lopez Final Press Conference Photos Gallery - Former world champion Emmanuel Rodriguez and streaking contender Melvin Lopez went face to face at Thursday’s final press conference before they meet for the vacant IBF Bantamweight World Championship this Saturday, August 12 headlining live on Showtime from The Theater at MGM National Harbor in Maryland in an event presented by Premier Boxing Champions. (photos by Amanda Westcott)