By Francisco Salazar

Abraham Lopez has had quite a few crossroads in his life.

One was whether to be content and continue working in the medical field. The other was to follow the dream of becoming a world champion.

While helping people is a great calling, the reality of one day having a world title belt strapped around his waist was too much for Lopez to ignore.

Lopez continues towards that goal after a three-year hiatus on Thursday night, when he faces Jorge Diaz at the Belasco Theatre in Los Angeles, Calif.

The 10 round bout will headline a 'LA Fight Club' card and will be televised live on Fox Sports Deportes, beginning at 10 p.m. ET/ 7 p.m. PT.

Much has been documented on Lopez (18-0-1, 13 KOs) spending three years away from the ring. During that time, Lopez completed his education and found a job as a respiratory therapist.

Lopez never stopped training, figuring he would receive a call from Gary Shaw and Thompson Boxing, his co-promoters. That call never came, even though he split his time hitting the heavy bag along with hitting the books.

His promotional contract (along with his managerial contract with Frank Espinoza) ran out in 2014, when he became a free agent. He signed on to Golden Boy, thus returning to the ring on March 20, when he fought to an eight round majority decision draw.

In his last bout on May 22, Lopez knocked Alfred Tetteh in the fifth round.

Lopez, who turns 28 next month, faces a fighter in Diaz who has won once in his last four bouts. Lopez may have a size and strength advantage, but he believes his game plan will be the key to victory.

"I've seen a couple of videos on him," Lopez told BoxingScene.com over the phone recently. "He's an aggressor who I think idolizes Arturo Gatti. He's going to try and brawl, but I know I can outbox him, even work the body."

Lopez will be fighting not far from his hometown of La Puente, a short drive on the 60 Freeway. He recently had a few members of the community wish him luck for his upcoming bout.

"I had the principal of La Puente High School (where he graduated from) call me and wished me luck. Not just the school, but the whole city of La Puente has gotten behind me. It's an honor and it pumps me up even more."

His exposure and popularity may extend beyond the city limits of La Puente. Aside from fighting on television, Lopez envisions fighting in larger markets besides Los Angeles.

Lopez hopes to fight for a world title within a year, should he continue winning. He realizes the opposition will get more difficult, but he welcomes the challenges.

"I believe I could fight for a world title eliminator next year. I'll fight anybody. This is boxing, not playing patty-cake. I want to be a world champion who doesn't duck anybody. I'd like to win world titles and unify the featherweight division."

"Obviously the opponents will be getting harder for me. I'd like to get there quickly and I'm glad I'm getting this needed push (fighting three times in less than five months)."

Lopez is entering his prime and there is a likelihood he has yet to reach his ceiling. He is now working with trainer Joel Diaz, which is an significant plus for Lopez at this point in his career.

While it may seem Lopez lost three years from not fighting, he believes there was a silver lining through all this. He finished his education and has something to fall back on when he does retire from boxing.

He does believe he is hungrier now compared to the earlier stages of his career. It is that drive that could push him towards his goals.

First things first, he has to take care of business on Thursday.

"I've been training harder than ever. All this sparring has made me feel better. I've never felt like this before."

"I feel great. I'm ready to get in that ring."

Francisco A. Salazar has written for Boxingscene.com since September of 2012 and has covered boxing in Southern California and abroad since 2000. Francisco also covers boxing for the Ventura County (CA) Star newspaper, RingTV, and Knockout Nation. He can be reached by email at santio89@yahoo.com or on Twitter at FSalazarBoxing