Coming into last summer's IBF featherweight title defense against Angelo Leo, the defending champion, Luis Alberto Lopez, was considered amongst the best in his weight class.

He had won the title on the road, edging past fan-favorite Josh Warrington in his Leeds, England, and then headed to Belfast, Northern Ireland where he destroyed uber-popular Michael Conlan. Subsequent defenses against Joet Gonzalez and Reiya Abe, in America, further solidified his position before facing former WBO junior featherweight titlist Angelo Leo in Albuquerque, New Mexico.

The two fought a close and entertaining fight, Leo was up by a point on two scorecards and Lopez by one on the other judge's card after eight rounds. Midway through the ninth-round Leo connected with a home run shot that left Lopez flat on his back.

The startling moment left those in attendance in stunned and was later nominated as one of The Ring Knockouts of The Year.

There were reports initially of a brain bleed and the worst was feared. However, those concerns were alleviated and proven incorrect.

"After the KO my manager, team and promoter took me directly to the hospital to make sure I didn't have any brain bleed or something else," Lopez (30-3, 17 knockouts) told The Ring through manager Luis "Kiki" Magana. "We've made several MRI’s during these past months with my doctors and everything is great.

"I know the knockdown looked really shocking in TV. I don't take credit out from Leo, but I was completely exhausted, altitude plus recovery and a good punch was a great combo for him."

The 31-year-old, who is rated at No. 6 by The Ring at featherweight, is now working toward coming back in the next couple of months.

"No effects at all," he said. "I've been working on my pre-camp here in my hometown Mexicali, Mexico with my complete team, starting to spar and working really hard on strength and conditioning, you guys will watch a completely different Venado Lopez."

Having gone through a very difficult period of his life, Lopez has remained upbeat.

"I feel great at this time, after losing my title, I had a lot to think of," he said. "We have to learn from mistakes and come back stronger than ever.

"I'm ready to get my title back at any cost, every time I had a loss, Venado Lopez has come stronger, so be ready."

Considering the violent nature of the defeat and trauma Lopez went through, it's somewhat surprising to see him return.

"My managers and promoters have been in contact, all the time monitoring how I feel, what is the next move, etc. and honestly, I feel great to comeback," he said. "About licensing and all medical [stuff] my promoter and team are in constant communication and I'm sure we'll be ready."

Lopez has a clear target in mind when he returns.

"Any champion," he said. "Any loss is really difficult, emotionally is not easy to go through, but I have suffered losses before and it’s not the end, you have to work really hard and come back stronger. I'm sure any fighter can have a bad night, and that day was mine but I'm really focused on coming back and this is going to be my year.

"We're planning to comeback between mid-March/April and then hopefully get either the rematch, title eliminator or any champions available in the 126-pound division."

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