How to watch Luis Alberto Lopez vs Michael Conlan
Promoted by Top Rank and Conlan Boxing, in association with Queensberry Promotions, Michael Conlan (18-1, 9 KOs) is all ready for his second world title challenge in what will be his third successive fight in his Belfast home city. This time he faces Mexican Luis Alberto Lopez Vargas (27-2, 15 KOs) on the 147th day of the year.
Everything you need to know about Alberto Lopez-Conlan below:
Fight Details
Date: Saturday, May 27, 2023.
Venue: SSE Arena, Belfast, Northern Ireland.
Times: Doors open at 4:30pm, first bell at 5pm.
Rounds scheduled: 12×3 championship rounds at super-featherweight (126lbs).
Titles: Lopez defends his IBF World featherweight title.
Ringwalks: Ringwalks will take place at the earlier time of 9pm (GMT) to avoid a clash with Lara-Wood on DAZN and Okolie-Billam-Smith on Sky Sports.
Tickets: Tickets on sale at www.Ticketmaster.ie.
Undercard Highlights: The brilliant Nick Ball defends his WBC Silver featherweight belt to former IBO World champion Ludumo Lamati read more…
How to Watch
TV Coverage: TV coverage is from 7pm to 12am on BT Sport 1 (Channel 413) – £25 per month subscripton fees.
Live Stream: You can live stream the Queensberry Promotions event online via BT Sport website or BT Sport app – available to download for free on iOS and Android phones and tablets.
You can also keep up date with the action by following the BT Sport Boxing account on Twitter, as well as the official Frank Warren Twitter account
BBN will be providing LIVE updates on the night, right HERE
Background
IBF featherweight world champion Luis Alberto “El Venado” Lopez will be making the first defense of his crown that he won in December last year with a mixed decision win over Josh Warrington in his home city of Leeds. Now he travels to Conlan's home city of Belfast in a bid to once more conquer the home favourite in what is his maiden title defence.
Lopez, 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 in enemy territory in Leeds, England. Now under the tutelage of Kay Koroma, he is preparing in Las Vegas to make his first title defense.
Conlan, a 31-year-old Olympic bronze medalist from Belfast, 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 sensational first-round knockout against Guerfi, he will return to The SSE Arena for the third straight time.
Quotes
Lopez: “I’m excited to have given both my country and my family a world champion. It’s not every day that you get a new world champion in my hometown of Mexicali, Mexico. It had been 27 years since my city last had a world champion.
“We’re making a strong finish to camp. We’re working with Kay Koroma at DLX Boxing in Las Vegas. We’re making big changes. We know I have speed. We know I have power. But now we’re working on sitting down more on my punches and on using my distance.
“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!”
Conlan: “This is a massive opportunity, fighting for the world title in Belfast is something I’ve always dreamed of and will be taking this opportunity with both hands.” Conlan said. “The SSE Arena will be buzzing, and I will do everything I can to bring a world title home. Credit to Lopez for coming to Belfast, but I am taking his title. He is not prepared for what is coming his way on May 27. Ireland will see a new champion crowned.”
Predictions
Tim Rickson, BBN Editor: “Mick Conlan came agonisingly close to becoming world champion in March last year, but succombed to a last-minute, desperate barrage from WBA champion Leigh Wood in what was the most dramatic end to any fight I've watched live. If not for that temple shot getting through, Conlan could have won on points, but it was close still. This time, I think the experience will see him much stronger and more confident. He has had two great victories, scoring three knockdowns against Miguel Marriaga and banking 10 valuable rounds, then his first-round stoppage over Karim Guerfi was just simply stunning. I think Conlan wins a hard fight on points to finally become world champion.”
Tale of the Tape
Lopez
Age: 29
From: Mexicali, Mexico
Alias: El Venado
Bouts: 29
Rounds: 158
Wins: 27
Losses: 2
Draws: 0
KO Wins: 15
KOs: 51.72%
Stance: Orthodox
Height: 5’ 4”
Reach: 66½”
BoxRec: #7
Conlan
Age: 31
Bouts: 19
Rounds: 138
Wins: 18
Losses: 1
Draws: 0
KO Wins: 9
KOs: 47.37%
Stance: Southpaw
Height: 5’ 8”
Reach: 69”
BoxRec: #18
Betting Odds (Betway)
1/10 Conlan
5/1 Lopez
22/1 Draw
Weights
Check back one day before fight night
Running Order
Main Event 9pm:
Luis Alberto Lopez vs Michael Conlan
12×3 IBF World featherweight title
Nick Ball vs Ludumo Lamati
12×3 WBC Silver featherweight title
Anthony Cacace vs Damian Wrzesinski
12×3 IBO World super-featherweight title
Padraig McCrory vs TBA
12×3 Super-middleweight contest
Pierce O'Leary vs Alin florin Ciorceri
10×3 WBC International super-lightweight title
Conor Quinn vs Juan Hinostroza
10×3 Super-flyweight contest
William Hayden vs Karl Sampson
6×3 Lightweight contest
Kieran Molloy vs Lesther Espino
6×3 Welterweight contest
Fearghus Quinn vs TBA
6×3 Middleweight contest
Kurt Walker vs Maicol Velazco
6×3 Featherweight contest
Jamesy Freeman vs TBA
4×3 Welterweight contest
Callum Thompson vs Marian Marius Istrate
4×3 Lightweight contest
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