Luis Alberto Lopez stops Michael Conlan in five to retain featherweight belt
Luis Alberto Lopez is now officially a Brit killer.
The Mexican won the IBF 126-pound title by outpointing Josh Warrington last December in Leeds. On Saturday, in his first defense, he stopped Michael Conlan with a single shot in Conlan’s hometown of Belfast, Northern Ireland.
The fight at SSE Arena was competitive for most of four-plus rounds, as both men got in their licks in what quickly evolved into firefight.
Lopez (28-2, 16 KOs) seemed to hurt Conlan (18-2, 9 KOs) with a series of hard blows midway through Round 3. The two-time Olympian managed to survive the onslaught.
However, he couldn’t withstand what happened in Round 5.
The two were engaged in an exchange when Lopez caught Conlan with a devastating short right hand, which put Conlan flat on his back and prompted his trainer Adam Booth to throw in the towel immediately.
The official time was 1:14 of Round 5.
Conlan lay on the canvas for several minutes before getting to his feet as anxious family members and hometown fans looked on.
“I knew he underestimated by power,” Lopez said through a translator. “I’m more powerful than him, I’m stronger. And I have speed and great footwork.”
Lopez is now in position to challenge one of the other titleholders: Leigh Wood (WBA), who regained his title by outpointing Mauricio Lara on Saturday; Rey Vargas (WBC), and Robeisy Ramirez (WBO).
Conlan has now been stopped in two of his last four fights. Wood sent him threw the ropes in the 12th and final round in March of last year.
