Boukedim to defend WBC Youth title against Erick Lopez in Metz

French bantamweight Ibrahim Boukedim will defend his WBC Youth title against Mexican Erick “Paris” Lopez on November 18 in Metz. Boukedim enters the bout with a 6-0 professional record, while Lopez is unbeaten at 10-0-1.

The contest will be Boukedim’s first defence of the belt he won earlier this year. The French fighter claimed the title by defeating Argentina’s Tiago Dylan Gonzalez, setting up his return to the ring as champion.

Boukedim is based in Dubai, where he also runs a gym, but his preparations for the Metz fight are taking place in Japan. The bout therefore follows a training period outside his home base as he works towards retaining the WBC Youth crown.

Lopez, 22, will be competing outside Mexico for the first time. His previous experience has largely come in shorter professional contests, with most of his bouts scheduled for four or six rounds.

That experience contrasts with the significance of his opportunity in Metz. Lopez will be challenging for a recognised youth title on his international debut, while Boukedim will be seeking to protect the unbeaten record that has carried him to 6-0.

The records give the fight an undefeated challenger and an unbeaten champion, with the WBC Youth bantamweight title at stake. Boukedim’s victory over Gonzalez remains the foundation of his reign, and Lopez’s first trip abroad will add a new setting to his title challenge.