Michael Conlan Entering Luis Alberto Lopez Title Fight Prepared and Confident
Michael “Mick” Conlan (18-1, 9 KOs) is days away from his second attempt to win a world title. On May 27, the two-time Olympian will challenge reigning IBF featherweight champion Luis Alberto ” El Venado” Lopez (27-2, 15 KOs). What makes this fight special for Conlan is that this upcoming contest will happen in his home country of Northern Ireland at the SSE Arena in Belfast.
UNDERSTANDING WHAT HE’S UP AGAINST
During an interview with ProBoxTV, Conlan revealed that he went through a twelve-week training camp to prepare for Lopez. The challenger feels that the IBF champion will attempt to apply pressure, but feels that he will be equipped to handle what Lopez brings on fight night.
“I expect him to come with a high pace early and it’s something I’ve prepared myself for – to be fighting at a ferocious pace over the 12 rounds. I’ve had three-four sparring partners going over the twelve rounds at mad, mad paces, so I’m prepared.”
Conlan’s first world title try came against former WBA champion Leigh Wood in March 2022. Mick got off to a terrific start in that bout, knocking Wood down in the early rounds, and was on the verge of knocking him out. But Wood was able to survive and crept his way back into the contest. Conlan was ahead on the cards heading into the final round. But at the midway point of round twelve, he was hurt and ultimately knocked out.
A VALUABLE LESSON
It was a bitter defeat. Some would expect that Conlan would be deflated, and lacking in confidence. But that was not the case. Conlan explained that he learned something about himself in what was the darkest moment of his career.
“I know if I land correctly, I can put anybody over now and I have that kind of belief in myself now. I’m really prepared. I’m super-fit, super-confident, super-strong, super-appreciative of the moment that is in front of me and I know what lies ahead of me, how hard it could be but how easy it could be at the same time.
It all depends on how things play out on the night. You know how it is, sometimes you get caught in the fire, and other times, it’s smooth sailing on a nice calm sea. So we’ll see what happens.”
Lopez is a rugged and aggressive warrior with power in both hands. He won the title in his last outing against two-time IBF champion Josh Warrington in December 2022. The defending champion has predicted that he will defeat Conlan by an early knockout. The challenger is confident that will not be the case.
READY TO GIVE THE FANS SOMETHING TO REMEMBER
Conlan believes he has the skill and will to come out on top. With the Belfast crowd expected to be in a frenzy, the challenger anticipates that May 27 is going to be a special evening for him.
“I think it has every ingredient to be the best night. It has the world title, hometown advantage, everything that is needed. The atmosphere is going to be electric. The entrance is going to be electric. It’s just having that cool head in the kitchen and being calm under fire and being smart in the ring. You’ve got to be smart and use your skills.”
Be the first to comment