Conlan Boxing hosted a media workout today in Belfast
Photos Courtesy: Conlan Boxing
Luis Alberto “El Venado” Lopez will make the first defense of his IBF featherweight world title against Michael “Mick” Conlan this Saturday, May 27, at The SSE Arena in Conlan’s hometown of Belfast.
Promoted by Top Rank and Conlan Boxing, in association with Queensberry Promotions, Lopez-Conlan and undercard bouts will stream live and exclusively on ESPN+ in the U.S. beginning at 1:30pm ET / 10:30am PT. For UK fans, the action will be live on BT Sport 1 from 7pm to 12am (Channel 413) full fight night details…
Lopez vs Conlan
Lopez (27-2, 15 KOs), from Mexicali, Mexico, navigated bumpy terrain to become a world champion. Despite losing early in his career to Abraham Montoya and Ruben Villa, he regained his momentum with victories over unbeaten standouts Gabriel Flores Jr. and Isaac Lowe. After two stay-busy wins, Lopez received his shot at the title, defeating Josh Warrington last December in enemy territory in Leeds, England. Now under the tutelage of Kay Koroma, he is set to make his first title defense.
Conlan (18-1, 9 KOs), a 31-year-old Olympic bronze medalist, made an unsuccessful bid for the WBA featherweight title against Leigh Wood in March 2022 but bounced back later that year with wins over Miguel Marriaga and Karim Guerfi. Less than six months after his first-round knockout against Guerfi, he will return to The SSE Arena for the third straight time.
The Wrecking Ball
In a battle of undefeated featherweights, Nick Ball (17-0, 10 KOs) defends his WBC Silver title in a 12-rounder against Ludumo Lamati (21-0-1, 11 KOs).
26-year-old Ball, hailing from Liverpool, England, secured his green and gold regional title by defeating Tyson Fury's close friend Isaac Lowe via sixth-round TKO in April 2022 in Wembley Stadium. He defended it later that year with stoppage wins against teak-tough Nathanael Kakololo and dangerous Mexican Jesus Ramirez Rubio.
Former IBO World super-bantamweight champion Lamati, 31 from South Africa, enters the bout after his fourth-round knockout win against Mark Anthony Geraldo last November, which was just his second fight up at featherweight.
Trained by paul Stevenson from the Everton Red Triangle Gym, unbeaten Ball said, “I’m made up, it is a good card to be on, with it being a world title at my weight. Although obviously I am concentrating on my fight, putting a good performance in and trying to steal the show.
“We go out there to entertain people and I always want to look good doing it. I feel like my style does that and people would rather watch a style like mine over an average boxer, if that’s what you want to call it.
“If I get the opportunity to fight the winner I will take it with both hands.”
Nick Ball vs Ludumo Lamati fight previewThe Apache
Junior lightweight contender Anthony Cacace (20-1, 7 KOs) takes on Polish standout Damian Wrzesinski (26-2-2, 7 KOs) in a 12-round clash. Cacace is 5-0 after suffering his first defeat in 2017 and is coming off a decision win against Michael Magnesi last September. Wrzesinski returns to the ring after decisioning Artjoms Ramlavs last October.
“Belfast is special for boxing, it is a great city, they appreciate their boxing and they know what they are watching,” said Cacace.
“I don’t know too much about Damian. I watched an interview with him and he seems like a pleasant fella. I have watched him a few times and he is what he is. I’m sure he’s going to be buzzing to get this opportunity and he is going to come over wanting to fight. That’s what I want and I don’t think Damian has ever been hit the way I’m going to hit him.
“We’re going to have to just see what happens on the night. They are all fit and strong but, as soon as you hit them, they don’t seem to want to come forward as much and they think a little bit more. With Damian, I’m going to add a bit more pain and punishment for him. I’m coming to take him out, forget about the boxing aspect, I am coming to get him.
“Also how big I am, I think Damian may be in for a surprise.”
The Big Bang
Pierce O’Leary (11-0, 6 KOs), the undefeated fighting pride of Dublin, defends his WBC International title in a 10-round junior welterweight tilt against Romania’s Alin Florin Ciorceri (17-3, 7 KOs).
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