IBF featherweight champion Angelo Leo will return in May against top contender Ra'eese Aleem in a DAZN main event in Atlanta.
Current International Boxing Federation featherweight titleholder Angelo Leo will make his 2026 debut in May. This, as he takes on mandatory challenger Ra’eese Aleem on May 9th in the headliner of a Salita Promotions card from the Gateway Center Arena in Atlanta and streamed worldwide on DAZN.
Salita promotions made the official announcement on Tuesday that they will co-promote the bout with Aleem's promoter Manny Pacquiao Promotions, which won the IBF's purse bid for the fight last month by outbidding Leo co-promoter ProBox TV by more than $50k. Pacquiao's upstart promotion will partner with Salita using one of their dates for broadcast to make the fight.
The IBF had already determined at the purse bid that Leo will make just over $147,000 and the challenger Aleem a harir under $80,000 for the main event.
The 31 year old Leo, 26-1, 12 KOs, is originally from Albuquerque, New Mexico, now trains in Las Vegas and won the IBF title with a booming, one punch 10th round knockout of Luis Alberto Lopez in August 2024. However, he's has only fought once since then, winning a majority decision over Tomoki Kameda in Japan last May.
Leo was formerly the WBO junior featherweight world champ, but was beaten decisively by Stephen Fulton over a 12 round decision in January 2021. But, since then, he's rattled off six straight wins, including three by knockout.
“A champion fights whoever, wherever,” Leo said in the Salita statement. “This is a great opportunity for me to continue building my fan base. I believe in myself. I’ve been doing this since I was eight years old. Beating a top contender like Aleem solidifies that I’m the best in the division.
"Fans are going to see on May 9 that I have the it factor. I’m an exciting fighter, I wear my heart on my sleeve, and when I show up I show up to win.”
The 35 year old veteran Aleem, 23-1, 12 KOs, is a Michigan native that also trains in Las Vegas, and became the mandatory challenger, when he upset Mikito Nakano in Japan by decision in November.
Aleem was on the rise at 122 lb. before Australian Sam Goodman beat him by decision in a top contender battle in June of 2023. He's won three fights since then, all by decision to ascend to the IBF's top spot at featherweight.
“I’ve bled too much and shed too many tears to be satisfied just being here,” Aleem said. “I’m coming to win this fight, become world champion, and defend my title. This isn’t about getting the opportunity, it’s about taking it. I want fans to walk away knowing Ra’eese ‘The Beast’ Aleem is the best in the division, and the new world champion.”
Back to Leo, he's obviously a in position to get a unification battle at featherweight, maybe late in this year. It might be easier for that matchup to be with newly crowned WBA world champ, Brandon Figueroa, who's been promoted by Premier Boxing Champions. Figueroa is hot after going to Liverpool, England and stopping champ Nick Ball in his hometown by 12th round TKO.
Meanwhile the new WBC champ, Bruce "Shu Shu" Carrington and hard hitting Rafael Espinoza, the WBO titleholder at 126 lb., are both promoted by Top Rank Boxing. And, it's very possible that they could fight a unification bout late in this year, as well.