Home Columns Luis Alberto Lopez vs Michael Conlan – Results & Post-Fight Report

Luis Alberto Lopez vs Michael Conlan – Results & Post-Fight Report

Luis Alberto Lopez silenced Belfast as he stopped Michael Conlan in the fifth round to remain the IBF Featherweight world champion.

Luiz Alberto Lopez silenced Belfast as he sent out a fifth round TKO stoppage win over Northern Ireland's Michael Conlan. Photo Credit: Conlan Boxing
Luiz Alberto Lopez silenced Belfast as he sent out a fifth round TKO stoppage win over Northern Ireland's Michael Conlan. Photo Credit: Conlan Boxing

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.


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.


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.


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).