Corpus Christi has a rich boxing history. It has hosted Hall of Famer Evander Holyfield and multi-divisional world champions Paul Williams and Gilberto Ramirez. It is home to former world champion Jesse Benavidez and former world title challenger Jerry Belmontes. Not bad for the coastal bend beach town, which has a population of just over 300,000. Boxing disappeared from Sparkle City after the pandemic until earlier this year when Ernest Reyna and Reyna Promotions brought a card back to the beach town in February, featuring hometown contender Mark Beuke and produced solid attendance. Another show followed last month, and now legendary Hall of Fame Promoter Bob Arum will bring big-time boxing back to Corpus. The city will host the Featherweight world title fight between Luis Alberto Lopez, 28-2 (16) of Mexicali, Mexico, who will defend his IBF title on September 15th against former world title challenger Joet Gonzalez 26-3 (15).
Lopez won his world title in December of 2022 in Leeds, England, by upsetting and outpointing Josh Warrington. The Mexican title holder successfully defended his back in May in Belfast against Irish Olympian Michael Conlan. Gonzalez has had two shots at world titles. Gonzalez was badly outboxed by Shakur Stevenson in late 2019, and then lost a thrilling fight to Emanuel Navarrete in 2021. In his last outing in Tulsa, Oklahoma, in April, he won a wide 10-round decision over Enrique Vivas.