It wasn’t to be for Michael Conlan in front of his adoring fans at the SSE Arena in Belfast, as his attempt to become IBF featherweight champion was ruined by Luis Alberto Lopez, who halted him in the fifth round of their world title meeting.
Conlan had failed in his previous bid at world honours, as he was knocked out by then WBA featherweight champion Leigh Wood in the final round when ahead on the cards. Lopez had won his title with a majority decision win against Josh Warrington in December last year, and was a dangerous proposition.
After a close couple of rounds, Lopez (28-2, KO16) shook Conlan (18-2, KO9) up with a right uppercut in the third round, and that shot would become pivotal just two rounds later, as Conlan was just unable to mix it with the Mexican, and his tactics of meeting fire with fire failed in the fifth, as Lopez uncorked a savage short right hook that left the Northern Irishman flat on his back, and the towel came in from his corner upon impact.
BUILT DIFFERENT 🇲🇽
Luis Alberto Lopez with a sensational display in Belfast 🏆#LopezConlan pic.twitter.com/ILZWkPWrnm
— Boxing on BT Sport 🥊 (@BTSportBoxing) May 27, 2023
On the undercard, Anthony Cacace (21-1, KO7) successfully defended his IBO super featherweight title for the first time, as he took a decision win against Poland’s Damian Wrzesinski (26-3-2, KO7). The Belfast man took victory by scores of 118-111, 117-111 and 116-112.
Twelve hard earned rounds for @AntoC6 👏 pic.twitter.com/lz4M8eonne
— Top Rank Boxing (@trboxing) May 27, 2023
Padraig McCrory (17-0, KO9) appeared after the main event, and he diffused the challenge of dangerous Argentine Diego Ramirez (25-10-1, KO6), with the super middleweight taking a 99-91 verdict.
Nick Ball (18-0, KO11) defended his WBC Silver featherweight title against South Africa’s Ludumo Lamati (21-1-1, KO11), stopping the visitor in the final round of twelve as Lama’s corner threw in the towel.
Pierce O’Leary (12-0, KO7) maintained his big reputation, as he halted Alin Florin Ciorceri (17-4, KO7) inside a round to defend his WBC International super lightweight.
How quick was that? 😮💨
Fantastic work from Pierce O'Leary 💥#LopezConlan pic.twitter.com/uLC6qPSWs5
— Boxing on BT Sport 🥊 (@BTSportBoxing) May 27, 2023
Featherweight prospect Kurt Walker (7-0, KO1) took all six rounds at featherweight against Maicol Velazco (10-7, KO3), while Willo Hayden (6-0, KO1) took a 59-55 verdict against Jordan Ellison (14-48-3, KO1) at lightweight.
Conor Quinn (6-0-1, KO4) went eight rounds for the first time as a pro, pitching a shutout at super flyweight against Juan Hinostroza (11-11-2, KO5).
Callum Thompson (7-0, KO1) stayed undefeated, winning every round of four at lightweight against Marian Marius Istrate (3-17, KO0).
