A new champion will be crowned at the highest level of boxing tonight. The vacant IBF Bantamweight Championship will be up for grabs when former IBF Bantamweight Champion Emmanuel Rodriguez (21-2-(1), 13 KOs) meets IBF’s #4 ranked Melvin Lopez (29-1, 19 KOs) at the MGM National Harbor in Oxon Hill, Maryland.
Showtime Championship Boxing: Rodriguez vs Lopez LIVE Main Card Results
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Rodriguez was initially ordered to fight Vincent Astrolabio for the vacant 118-lbs. title by the IBF, but after Astrolabio pursued a WBO title fight with Jason Moloney, the fight was scrapped. Rodriguez would then be ordered to face Lopez.
As a former IBF title holder and WBO title challenger, Rodriguez has been here before. Now riding a two-fight win streak, the 31-year-old aims to gain championship gold once again.
Lopez has developed into seriously dangerous contender since his sole career blemish in 2019. Since then, Lopez has gone 8-0 with seven finishes.
This matchup should prove to be an intense battle of wills, as Lopez is an aggressive, forward-pushing fighter and Rodriguez is a tactician behind the jab.
Gary Antuanne Russell vs Kent Cruz
In a 10-round Super Lightweight bout, the undefeated southpaw Gary Antuanne Russell (16-0, 16 KOs) will meet the undefeated orthodox fighter Kent Cruz (16-0-3, 10 KOs). This battle of American bombers has already started with a war of words. As bad blood has boiled to its limit, someone’s 0 has to go in the 140-lbs. division. This fight could easily shape up to be the fight of the night as fans should not expect this one to go all ten rounds.
Travon Marshall vs Gabriel Maestre
To open the main card, Travon Marshall (9-0, 9 KOs) will share the ring with Gabriel Maestre (5-0-1, 4 KOs). In this 10-round Welterweight bout, both men enter with relatively little pro experience. Marshall will play the role of hometown hero, as the 22-year-old was born less than an hour from the 3,000 seat MGM National Harbor. Maestre will look to play spoiler.
SCB: Rodriguez vs Lopez Official Main Card Results
Emmanuel Rodriguez defeats Melvin Lopez via Unanimous Decision (120-105,120-105,120-105) for the vacant IBF Bantamweight Championship
Gary Antuanne Russell defeats Kent Cruz via KO at 2:39 of Round 1
Gabriel Maestre defeats Travon Marshall via TKO at 2:06 of Round 2
