Luis Alberto Lopez Planning An Early Knockout Over Michael Conlan!
On May 27, Luis Alberto Lopez (27-2, 15 KOs) will make the first defense of the IBF featherweight title against Michael Conlan (18-1, 9 KOs) at the Odyssey Arena in Conlan’s hometown of Belfast, Northern Ireland. Understanding he’s fighting in front of a hostile environment, the defending champion intends to end matters inside the distance.
For Conlan, it’s his second world title attempt. His previous world title shot occurred in March 2022 against then-WBA champion Leigh Wood. Ahead on all three scorecards entering the last round, Conlan got caught, was concussed, and knocked out at the midway mark of the twelfth and final round. It was one of the most dramatic endings to a world championship contest in recent memory.
He has rebounded from that defeat with two easy wins. In August 2022, Conlan scored a ten-round unanimous decision victory over Miguel Mirriaga. Next was a first-round knockout over Karim Guerfi in December 2022.
SUPREMELY CONFIDENT
Lopez respects Conlan’s skillset. He understands that the lefty challenger prefers to box rather than slug. But during an interview with the news outlet Boxing News. The world champion from Mexico feels he has the tools to deal with the fighter from Belfast.
“This is going to be a great fight. He’s an Olympian. He knows how to stick and move. It’s going to be a difficult fight. But my preparation has been excellent. This has been the best training camp of my entire career. And as soon as he starts planting his feet a bit, the fight will end very quickly.
It wouldn’t be smart for him to try to brawl with me. So, I expect him to come out and box. But I have the speed and strength to cut the ring and find him. I will knock Michael Conlan out!”
The Odyssey Arena crowd will be in a frenzy on fight night. Conlan will attempt to use the energy from the hometown crowd to fuel his performance.
But Lopez is no stranger to fighting inside enemy lines. He won the IBF title on December 2022 against Josh Warrington in Warrington’s hometown of Leeds, England. Now, he has plans again to play the role of spoiler against Conlan.
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