Is Najee Lopez ready to go from Fight of the Year contender to world-title contender?
The unbeaten light heavyweight is back on August 29, when Najee Lopez (16-0, 13 KOs) takes on fellow unbeaten contender Juan Carrillo (15-0, 11 KOs) in a huge clash at the Galen Center in Los Angeles. Lopez is currently ranked No. 4 by the WBA, while Carrillo sits at No. 9.
After Lopez’s all-action battle with Manuel Gallegos, the expectations have changed. Now he faces another undefeated fighter, with Carrillo warning that he intends to emerge as the division’s next star.
We break down Najee’s rise, what Carrillo brings to the fight, and whether victory on August 29 could move Lopez closer to a shot at the light-heavyweight crown.