IBF featherweight world champion Luis Alberto “El Venado” Lopez is gearing as much as make the primary protection of his crown.
The 29-year-old will face Michael “Mick” Conlan Saturday, Might 27, at The SSE Area in Conlan’s hometown of Belfast.
Lopez-Conlan and undercard bouts will stream stay and solely on ESPN+ in the USA. BT Sport will broadcast the occasion within the UK and Eire.
Lopez (27-2, 15 KOs), from Mexicali, Mexico, navigated bumpy terrain to turn out to be a world champion. Regardless of dropping early in his profession 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 acquired his shot on the title, defeating Josh Warrington in enemy territory in Leeds, England. Now beneath the tutelage of Kay Koroma, he’s making ready in Las Vegas to make his first title protection.
Conlan (18-1, 9 KOs), a 31-year-old Olympic bronze medalist from Belfast, made an unsuccessful bid for the WBA featherweight title towards Leigh Wooden in March 2022 however bounced again later that 12 months with wins over Miguel Marriaga and Karim Guerfi. Lower than six months after his first-round knockout towards Guerfi, he’ll return to The SSE Area for the third straight time.
Following a latest coaching session, that is what Lopez needed to say:
“I’m excited to have given each my nation and my household a world champion. It’s not daily that you simply get a brand new world champion in my hometown of Mexicali, Mexico. It had been 27 years since my metropolis final had a world champion. So, I’m blissful to have been ready to try this.”
“We’re making a robust end to camp. We’re working with Kay Koroma at DLX Boxing in Las Vegas. We’re making huge adjustments. We all know I’ve pace. We all know I’ve energy. However now we’re engaged on sitting down extra on my punches and on utilizing my distance.”
“That is going to be an awesome battle. He’s an Olympian. He is aware of methods to stick and transfer. It’s going to be a troublesome battle. However my preparation has been glorious. This has been the most effective coaching camp of my total profession. And as quickly as he begins planting his toes a bit, the battle will finish in a short time.”
“It wouldn’t be good for him to attempt to brawl with me. So, I count on him to return out and field. However I’ve the pace and power to chop the ring and discover him. I’ll knock Michael Conlan out!”
Promoted by Prime Rank and Conlan Boxing, in affiliation with Queensberry Promotions, tickets are on sale now by way of www.Ticketmaster.ie.
