On a bumper night of world championship boxing within the UK that sees Lawrence Okolie defend his WBO cruiserweight title in opposition to Chris Billam-Smith in Bournemouth, it’s an enormous evening within the featherweight division particularly as Leigh Wood makes an attempt to win again the WBA belt from Mauricio Lara in Manchester.
Things kick off with Conlan making an attempt to dethrone one other Mexican 126lbs champion in Lopez, who stunned Josh Warrington on points in a detailed battle in Leeds in December to choose up the IBF gold and win a primary international title.
The 2012 Olympic bronze medalist is determined to turn out to be a world champion on residence soil on the second try, having been stopped by Wood in emphatic style on the finish of an absolute thriller in Nottingham final March, dropping as knowledgeable for the primary time.
Since then he has been on the comeback path, outpointing Miguel Marriaga earlier than producing a sensational first-round knockout of former European title-holder Karim Guerfi earlier than Christmas.
Lopez vs Conlan takes place on Saturday May 27, 2023 at The SSE Arena in Belfast, Northern Ireland.
The undercard is because of start at 4pm BST, with primary occasion ring walks anticipated on the earlier time of 9pm so as to keep away from a conflict with Okolie-Billam-Smith and Lara-Wood 2.
As ever, these precise timings are topic to alter, relying on the size of the undercard fights.
On Saturday’s undercard, Belfast’s Anthony Cacace defends his IBO super-featherweight world title in opposition to Damian Wrzesinski, whereas Nick Ball places his WBC silver featherweight strap on the road in opposition to Ludomo Lamati.
Dublin’s Pierce O’Leary additionally defends his WBC International light-welterweight title in opposition to Alin Ciorceri of Romania.
Luis Alberto Lopez vs Michael Conlan
Anthony Cacace vs Damian Wrzesinski
Nick Ball vs Ludomo Lamati
Pierce O’Leary vs Alin Ciorceri
Conor Quinn vs Juan Hinostroza
Padraig McCrory vs Diego Ramirez
William Hayden vs Jordan Ellison
Kieran Molloy vs Lesther Espino
Fearghus Quinn vs Ruben Angulo
Kurt Walker vs Maicol Velazco
James Freeman vs Jordan Grannum
Callum Thompson vs Marian Istrate
TV channel: In the UK, Lopez vs Conlan is being broadcast dwell on BT Sport, with protection starting at 6:30pm BST on BT Sport 1 and BT Sport Ultimate.
Live stream: BT Sport subscribers may also catch the motion dwell on-line by way of the BT Sport web site and app.
This is the most important battle in Belfast for the reason that unforgettable nights that includes Carl Frampton, however a hostile ambiance certainly gained’t trouble Lopez all that a lot.
The ‘Road Warrior’ earned that nickname for a motive and is not any stranger to pulling off outcomes on his travels, simply as he confirmed in opposition to Isaac Lowe at York Hall again in December 2021 and in entrance of Warrington’s passionate Leeds devoted final outing.
Lopez is a canny operator who shocked Warrington together with his robust begin, displaying nice ring craft and bouncing again from an ungainly lower to battle fireplace with fireplace and edge a call on two of the three judges scorecards.
He should repeat that feat in opposition to Conlan, who's itching to assert his first world title and consign to historical past that last-gasp defeat by Wood during which he was on monitor for an exciting factors victory earlier than being actually punched by the ropes in brutal style within the closing spherical in Nottingham.
Conlan obtained too forward of himself in that battle, turning on the fashion however then getting overly assured when he didn’t have to, taking pointless dangers in opposition to a hard-hitting opponent for which he paid the worth.
If he can preserve his calm right here, field sensibly and neatly amid a terrific Belfast backing, then he ought to have what it takes to edge a detailed contest on the playing cards and turn out to be a world champion finally.
Conlan to win on factors.
The weigh-ins for Saturday evening’s card are as a result of happen on Friday. Check again in then for the outcomes.
Lopez to win: 11/10
Conlan to win: 8/11
Draw: 16/1
Lopez to win by KO/TKO: 7/2
Conlan to win by KO/TKO: 6/1
Lopez to win by factors or determination: 12/5
Conlan to win by factors or determination: 6/5
Odds by way of Betfair (topic to alter).
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