By: Sean Crose
Michael Conlan suffered his second devastating loss in a world title combat this weekend when he was knocked out by Luis Lopez in his hometown of Belfast. After dropping a terrific WBA featherweight title battle towards Leigh Wood in 2022, Conlan hoped to make all proper when he answered the opening bell to battle IBF featherweight champion Lopez in a scheduled 12 rounder at Belfast’s SSE Arena on Saturday. It was merely to not be.
Conlan landed effectively with jabs within the first whereas Lopez successfully labored the physique. Conlan, nonetheless, was definitely the extra aggressive of the 2. The challenger continued to be aggressive within the second whereas the defending champion, who was the slower of the 2 males, landed the heavier blows. Conlan had robust moments within the third, however the affected person stalking of Lopez in was telling. Indeed, Conlan was harm within the closing parts of the spherical. With that in thoughts, the gutsy challenger survived the chapter.
Still, Lopez continued his assault within the fourth, main Conlan to start out holding. Lopez, clearly the stronger of the 2, was capable of proceed touchdown with energy. In the fifth all of it got here to an finish. A terrific Lopez’ uppercut despatched Conlan to the mat. Sure sufficient, Conlan’s head hit the canvas as he went down. Conlan’s nook, not fascinated with seeing the referee rely their fighter out, virtually instantly threw within the towel.
